MP Script History With Maiden Ranji Title

BENGALURU: Madhya Pradesh on Sunday scripted history by winning India’s premier domestic tournament Ranji Trophy for the first time. They beat 41-time champions Mumbai.

After conceding the first-innings lead of 162 runs, Mumbai started Day 5 from the overnight score of 113-2 and lost heaps of wickets in a bid to score runs quickly and erase the deficit. Only Suved Parkar with 51 and Sarfaraz Khan with a breezy 45 made handy contributions but other batsmen fell cheaply.

Left-arm spinner Kumar Kartikeya, who has been the fulcrum of Madhya Pradesh’s bowling this season, was once again the pick of the bowlers as he grabbed four wickets and helped his team bundle Mumbai out for 269 in their second essay.

Earlier, Madhya Pradesh had scored 536 runs in their first innings in response to Mumbai’s 374.

Chasing 108, Madhya Pradesh were in a spot of bother at one stage as Shams Mulani snapped up three wickets and seamer Dhaval Kulkarni snared one batsman to reduce them to 66-3.

The flamboyant Rajat Patidar, who had smashed a ton in the first innings, stepped up and cracked an unbeaten 30 to guide his team to victory. Fittingly, he hit the winning runs as MP lifted the coveted trophy for the first time.

Meanwhile, Twitter erupted with joy as politicians, officials and former players congratulated the team on their maiden triumph.

अविस्मरणीय पल..बधाई मध्यप्रदेश!!! @MPCAtweets pic.twitter.com/teB9zbO0IM

— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) June 26, 2022

अंतर्मन उत्साह, उल्लास और आनंद से भरा हुआ है। आप खिलाड़ियों ने जो इतिहास रचा है, ये अमूल्य क्षण सदैव हमें गौरव से अभिभूत करते रहेंगे।

यह ऐतिहासिक क्षण आप खिलाड़ियों और कोच के घनघोर परिश्रम से ही संभव हुआ है। इस महान जीत की आप सबको आत्मीय बधाई! #RanjiTrophy2022 pic.twitter.com/OWDVMTudnJ

— Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) June 26, 2022

मैं शिवराज जी का उत्साह देखकर उत्साहित हूं !! pic.twitter.com/7b0XX9OUiE

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) June 26, 2022

Congratulations Madhya Pradesh on winning the prestigious #RanjiTrophy for the first time.

Well done to coach Chandrakant Pandit on winning with 3 teams in the last 6 years.

It’s been 2 challenging years for domestic cricket. Kudos to @BCCI for planning the season so well. pic.twitter.com/suvroHDg3o

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) June 26, 2022

To go across 3 states and win Ranji trophies is a remarkable achievement and a true reflection of his dedication and commitment to the job. Well done Chandu #RanjiTrophy pic.twitter.com/2OglcYNcYV

— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) June 26, 2022

Congratulations MP team for winning the Ranji trophy 🏆. Chandrakant Pandit creates his magic once again in domestic cricket. How abt a good IPL contract for Him?

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) June 26, 2022

Chandu bhai, tumhaala maanla 🙌🏽
1st Mumbai, then Vidarbha, and now MP, it's incredible! Best coach when it comes to winning trophies 🏆 Many congratulations to skipper Aditya Shrivastava, MP team, and support staff 👏🏽👏🏽 #RanjiTrophyFinal pic.twitter.com/BqR1gGXtDW

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 26, 2022