Mumbai and Ranji Trophy have a strong relationship as they went on to lift their 40^th Ranji Trophy Title this Monday. Saurashtra who surprised everyone by reaching the Ranji finals for the first time in 75-years were thrashed by Ajit Agarkar and company by an innings and 125 runs inside 3 days at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

Mumbai thrash Saurashtra to clinch Ranji Trophy crown for 40th time

Without their match winners Ravindra Jadeja and Cheteshwar Pujara Saurashtra faced the giants in this format and would’ve disappointed for the sad ending. They could manage to post only 148 in the 1^st innings after being asked to bat first by Mumbai captain Ajit Agarkar. In reply, Mumbai were all-out for 355 with a healthy lead of 207-runs. Wasim Jaffer went to score his 32^nd century and became no.1 in terms of most no. of centuries hit in this championship by surpassing Ajay Sharma’s total tally of 31. He also achieved another distinction by becoming the Highest-run scorer in the history of Ranji Trophy when he crossed Amol Muzumdar’s 9105, and now currently has 9155 runs. His timely knock of 132 put Mumbai in total control. Trailing 207, the Saurashtra players were bundled out for just 82 runs in no time. Dhawal Kulkarni who took 4 wickets in the 1^st innings took a 5 wicket haul in the 2^nd innings and got a good support from his skipper Ajit Agarkar who took 4 wickets in the 2^nd innings.

Saurashtra badly missed Pujara and Jadeja big time in this match! Though it was a disappointing show by them in a big final, entire Saurashtra team should be appreciated for displaying a wonderful show throughout the series except for this match. Ajit Agarkar lifted the Trophy and thus Mumbai registered their 40^th title win. This is their 1^st win after two winless seasons. Sachin Tendulkar who was also a part of the match, scored 22 in the 1^st innings and got run-out for the very first time ever in Ranji Trophy. But he was happy after the team’s huge win and was in all praise for Ajit Agarkar who had a rough season last year.  For his record ton, Wasim Jaffer was given the Player of the Match award. This is Mumbai’s 40^th title win in 68 appearances and has reached the finals in 44 occasions.

The Ranji Trophy champions will play the Rest of India led by Virender Sehwag for the Irani Cup which will be played at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai from 6^th to 10^th February 2013.

Tags: Ajit Agarkar, Cricket, Mumbai, Ranji Trophy, Saurashtra, Wankhede Stadium, Wasim Jaffer