Vidarbha strengthened its position in the Ranji Trophy semifinal after a stunning middle-order collapse by Mumbai left them trailing by 195 runs in Nagpur. Mumbai ended the day at 188 for 7, responding to Vidarbha’s commanding total of 383.
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Mumbai’s Middle-Order Collapse: A Turning Point
Mumbai’s innings unraveled spectacularly in the 41st over, where they lost three key wickets to left-arm spinner Parth Rekhade. In a single over, Rekhade dismissed Ajinkya Rahane, Suryakumar Yadav, and Shivam Dube, leaving Mumbai reeling at 113 for 5.
Rahane, looking to steady the innings, fell for 18 when an inside edge off his defensive push rolled back onto the stumps. Next came Suryakumar Yadav, who departed for a two-ball duck after his attempted jab at an in-drifter, which resulted in a sharp catch by Danish Malewar at a silly point on the second attempt. Rekhade continued his magic by dismissing Shivam Dube, whose thick edge was brilliantly taken at slip by Atharva Taide.
The collapse didn’t stop there. Shams Mulani, who had played a crucial role in the quarterfinal, was trapped lbw by left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey for just 4. Although initially given not out, Vidarbha captain Akshay Wadkar’s review showed the ball crashing into the stumps. This marked Dubey’s 60th wicket of the season, a feat achieved by only a handful of bowlers in Ranji history.
Shardul Thakur Leads Mumbai’s Fightback
Despite the carnage, Mumbai found a glimmer of hope in Shardul Thakur. Known for his resilience, Thakur partnered with wicketkeeper Akash Anand to add 60 valuable runs for the seventh wicket. Anand, anchoring from the top of the order, displayed grit with an unbeaten 67, while Thakur played an aggressive knock of 37 off 41 balls, striking boundaries at every opportunity.
However, Thakur’s dismissal ended the partnership. Attempting to pull Yash Thakur, Shardul holed out to deep square leg, leaving Mumbai in deeper trouble.
Yash Thakur’s Impactful Spell
Yash Thakur’s pace and intensity were pivotal on a sweltering afternoon. Though his figures of 2 for 56 in 11 overs might not entirely reflect his efforts, his ability to trouble Mumbai’s batters was evident. Thakur dismissed Siddhesh Lad with a ball that angled in and held its line, breaking a promising partnership. Earlier, he had nearly trapped Rahane lbw on 11, but a no-ball saved the Mumbai veteran.
Vidarbha’s Solid First-Innings Performance
Significant contributions from their top-order batters anchored Vidarbha’s commanding first-innings total of 383. Yash Rathod continued his fine form this season, scoring a crucial half-century before falling early on Day 2. He triggered a collapse as Vidarbha added only 75 runs to their overnight total of 308 for 5.
Shivam Dube was the pick of Mumbai’s bowlers, finishing with exceptional figures of 5 for 49. Dube’s spell included dismissals of key players like Parth Rekhade and Karun Nair on Day 1, followed by three wickets in three overs on Day 2. This marked his third five-wicket haul in first-class cricket, providing Mumbai with a fighting chance.
Vidarbha’s Bowlers Shine Under Pressure
Vidarbha’s bowling attack, led by Rekhade and Dubey, capitalized on the pressure created by their first-innings total. Rekhade’s brilliant triple-wicket over and Dubey’s consistency ensured Mumbai’s innings never gained momentum. Their efforts were complemented by Yash Thakur, whose pace added another dimension to the attack.
What Lies Ahead
As Mumbai trails by 195 runs with only three wickets in hand, the pressure is mounting. Vidarbha, on the other hand, stands poised to secure a crucial first-innings lead. With Akash Anand holding one end, Mumbai will hope for some resistance from their lower order to narrow the deficit.
The semifinal in Nagpur has already delivered high drama, and Vidarbha looks determined to keep the upper hand. Mumbai will need nothing short of a miraculous fightback to keep their Ranji Trophy dreams alive.
