Mumbai secures Irani Cup victory on first-innings lead

Mumbai clinched their 15th Irani Cup title, securing victory on the strength of a crucial first-innings lead of 121 runs over Rest of India (ROI) in a match that ended in a draw in Lucknow. The win marked Mumbai’s first Irani Cup triumph in 27 years, a remarkable milestone for the 42-time Ranji Trophy champions.

Mumbai’s success was anchored by an outstanding unbeaten 222 from Sarfaraz Khan and key contributions from Ajinkya Rahane, who scored 97, and Tanush Kotian, who registered impressive scores of 64 and 114*. These contributions helped Mumbai post a formidable 537 in their first innings, despite a five-wicket haul from ROI’s Mukesh Kumar. ROI responded with 416, thanks to Abhimanyu Easwaran’s gritty 191 and Dhruv Jurel’s 93, but a late collapse saw them lose their last six wickets for just 23 runs, falling short of Mumbai’s total.

Mumbai’s second innings saw Prithvi Shaw continue the momentum with a quick 76. However, it was Tanush Kotian’s brilliant unbeaten 114, combined with a 158-run partnership with Mohit Avasthi, that ensured Mumbai maintained control. Although ROI’s Saransh Jain took six wickets, including the prized scalp of Sarfaraz Khan with the help of DRS, Mumbai’s lower order held firm.

Kotian, dropped on multiple occasions, capitalized on his chances, hitting boundaries to keep the scoreboard ticking. His resilience and positive stroke play brought up his century, helping Mumbai stretch their lead further. Avasthi also made valuable contributions, reaching his fifty and helping Mumbai declare on 329/8.

The two sides shook hands after Avasthi’s half-century, signaling the end of the game and the start of Mumbai’s celebrations.

Brief Scores:

• Mumbai: 537 (Sarfaraz Khan 222*, Ajinkya Rahane 97; Mukesh Kumar 5-110) & 329/8 (Tanush Kotian 114*, Prithvi Shaw 76; Saransh Jain 6-121)
• Rest of India: 416 (Abhimanyu Easwaran 191, Dhruv Jurel 93; Tanush Kotian 3-101)
• Mumbai won by first-innings lead of 121 runs.