New Delhi. Rest of India was moving confidently towards capturing the Irani Cup. He had scored 393 runs for 4 wickets. To capture the trophy, less than half the score that had been scored had to be scored. But then Shams Mulani played the game. This left-arm spinner hunted the batsmen who were batting 93 and 191 runs in two consecutive overs and brought Mumbai back into the game. There are still one and a half days of play left in the Irani Cup, but now only a miracle can help Rituraj Gaikwad’s team win the trophy.
The Irani Cup is being played between Ranji champions Mumbai and Rest of India from October 1. Mumbai made a big score of 537 runs thanks to Sarfaraz Khan’s 222 runs. Despite scoring 536 runs for 9 wickets on the second day, Mumbai batted on the third day. This was proof that the Mumbai team was playing for the trophy rather than victory, to achieve which even a draw is enough if the lead is taken in the first innings.
Rest of India, under the captaincy of Rituraj Gaikwad, gave a befitting reply to Mumbai. Thanks to openers Abhimanyu Easwaran (191) and Dhruv Jurel (93), at one time he had scored 393 runs for 3 wickets. Now he needed 145 more runs to lead the innings. Looking at the game of Abhimanyu Easwaran and Dhruv Jurel, it did not seem very difficult. But on the fourth day of the game, Rest of India’s ‘game’ was over. Playing ahead of 289 runs for 4 wickets on the fourth day, this team took its score to 393 runs on the wicket.
Mumbai’s spirits were beginning to get a bit low due to Rest of India’s 165-run partnership, but then Shams Mulani got Dhruv Jurel caught by the wicketkeeper. The dangerous couple broke up. But Shams did not stop here. He also dismissed Abhimanyu Easwaran in the very next over. After this it seemed as if the Rest of India batsmen surrendered. The team which had once scored 393 runs for 4 wickets, was all out after adding the next 23 runs. Rest of India’s innings ended at 416 runs. In this way Mumbai got a lead of 121 runs in the first innings.
With this lead of Mumbai, its capture of the Irani Cup is almost certain. As per rules, the winning team gets the trophy. But if there is no decision on win or loss in the match, then the team which takes lead in the first innings gets this cup. After falling behind by 121 runs, Rest of India is unlikely to win this match. If it achieves the target by all-out Mumbai in the match with one and a half days left, it will be no less than a miracle. It can be said that Rest of India is now dependent on a miracle for the trophy, while Mumbai just has to show its normal game.
Tags: cricket news, Ranji Trophy, Sarfaraz Khan
FIRST PUBLISHED: October 4, 2024, 14:09 IST