Mumbai Beat Rest of India and Won Irani Cup After 27 Years

Mumbai beat the Rest of India on the 5th day, Saturday 5th October in Lucknow, and won the Irani Cup after a long gap of 27 years. The Ajinkya Rahane-led side registered a victory despite a draw based on the first innings lead. It was Mumbai’s 15th title in the marquee tournament as they last held it in 1997.

The ROI captain Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss and invited Mumbai to bat first. They scored a mammoth 537 runs in 141 overs on the back of Sarfaraz Khan’s incredible 222 runs. He was well supported by Rahane’s 97, Iyer’s 57, and Kotian’s 64.  On the other hand, Mukesh Kumar bagged 5/110 to help ROI bundle them.

In reply, opener Abhimanyu Easwaran toiled hard on the crease and scored a scintillating 191 with the help of 16 fours and a maximum to take his team to 416 before getting all out. Wicket-keeper Dhruv Jurel also played a crucial knock of 93 runs in only 121 balls. For Mumbai, Kotian and Mulani shared six wickets between them.

Mumbai was leading by 121 runs before the beginning of 2nd innings and in addition, they scored 329 runs in 78 overs until the umpires lodged off the bails on the fifth day. On this occasion, opener Prithvi Shaw scored a brilliant 76 and Kotian made an outstanding 114 to aid Mumbai amplify the lead. The ROI bowlers looked completely clueless in front of the batting force of Mumbai and the late runs from the lower order of Tanush Kotian were the cheery on the cake for the champions.

Sarfaraz Khan was given the MOM Award for his stupendous double-century in the first innings.