By Karun Nair’s Resilient Knock Keeps Mumbai at Bay in Ranji Final
Despite facing challenging batting conditions at the Wankhede Stadium, Karun Nair’s determined innings on the fourth day thwarted Mumbai’s hopes for much of the day. However, his dismissal in the final moments of play shifted the match significantly in Mumbai’s favor. Vidarbha now faces a daunting target of 538 runs, a record in the Ranji Trophy final.
Heading into the final day, Mumbai needs just five wickets to claim their 42nd title, while Vidarbha requires 290 runs for victory.
Nair’s vigil at the crease (74 off 220 balls) began after openers Atharva Taide and Dhruv Shorey fell in quick succession in the morning session, despite adding 54 runs to Vidarbha’s overnight total. Taide was dismissed attempting a paddle against left-arm spinner Shams Mulani, while Shorey was bowled by an offbreak from Tanush Kotian.
Mumbai’s spinners found significant turn and bounce from the pitch, but Nair managed to negotiate most deliveries, occasionally benefiting from a stroke of luck. He survived a dropped catch off Kotian when on 4 and an edged chance off Tushar Deshpande when on 14, both of which did not carry to the fielders.
Aman Mokhade, Nair’s partner for the third wicket, fell after Lunch to an arm-ball from Musheer Khan. Yash Rathod was then adjudged lbw, with Mumbai successfully reviewing the decision to give Kotian his second wicket. This decision, however, was contentious as the ball appeared to hit bat and pad simultaneously.
The partnership between Nair and captain Akshay Wadkar, who added 90 runs for the fifth wicket, stabilized Vidarbha’s innings. However, Musheer once again broke through for Mumbai, deceiving Nair with a delivery that drifted, dipped, and turned away, resulting in an outside edge. Despite a hopeful review from Vidarbha, Nair had succumbed to a delivery too good for even his skill. Musheer’s crucial breakthrough was his second of the day.
Wadkar reached his fifty off 80 deliveries and will be crucial to Vidarbha’s hopes on the final day.
Brief Scores: Mumbai 224 & 418, Vidarbha 105 & 248/5 (Nair 74, Akshay Wadkar 56*; Musheer 2-38, Kotian 2-56), Mumbai lead by 289 runs
