Mumbai is considered as Capital of Indian Cricket, a cradle of Cricket in India its record in domestic cricket is enviable. The 42 times Ranji Trophy Champions and now 15 times Irani Cup winners! It retained Ranji Trophy between 1958-1973, which is a record. Double crown for Mumbai after a long wait of 27 years.
The Glorious History
Irani Cup match is played between Ranji Trophy Champions and the Rest of India team selected on the basis other teams best, talented players. It is an annual feature of BCCI Cricket Calendar. Zal Irani who was BBCI’s first Treasurer since its inception, later a Vice-President and President (1966-67) was honoured by having a Trophy presented in his name. It started in 1959-60 and was played at end of the season. After five years, it was shifted to the beginning of the next season. This Irani Cup tie gives valuable data about the form of current players
This season 2023-24 has been amazing for Mumbai Cricket. They regained the Ranji Trophy after a long gap. With most of their star players away on national duty representing India in WC and WTC matches they showed the class. The newly looked Mumbai Team played well under the Captaincy of Ajinkya Rahane, a veteran Test stalwart.
Ajinkya led the side well though he didn't contribute much with the bat except in the final at Wankhede Stadium against Vidarbha. Ajinkya is always a captain cool. He is very shrewed with tactics. He led the bunch of talented youngsters which included Khan siblings Sarfraz and Musheer, Tanush Kotian (find of the season), pacer Awasthi, Tushar Deshpande (presently in UK for treatment), Shams Mulani, the crafty left arm spinner who along with Tanush Kotian plotted the downfall of opposition batters.
The Turning Point
In the Irani Cup match played on the red soiled Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in the first week of October Mulani bowled 40 overs and bagged 3 wickets but two main Rest of India batters, opener Abhimanyu Easwaran and Dhruv Jurel who stitched a partnership of 165 runs and frustrated the Mumbai team but Mulani exploiting the rough got Abhimanyu sweeping and catch was held by Tanush running in from short fine leg. Tanush then polished of ROI tail very swiftly. ROI lost last six wickets for just 23 runs. Both the tweakers bagged three wickets and Mumbai gained vital first innings lead of 121 runs.
Known for its batting Mumbai started badly in Irani Cup losing three wickets for 37 runs but skipper Ajinkya Rahane along with Shreyas Iyer and then with Double Centurion Sarfraz Khan put Mumbai innings back on track. Rock solid Batsman Sarfraz Khan scored unbeaten 222 runs which enabled Ranji Champions to reach 537 runs in 141 overs.
The New Hero
Real hero of this Irani Cup match was Tanush Kotian, an allrounder. The 26-year-old, a resident of Kannamwar Nagar, Vikhroli is a find of the season. His father Karunakaran Kotian is also a well-known name in Mumbai’s maidan cricket. Tanush also imbibed cricket from his father. He has progressed well making rapid strides in at national level.
A product of IES School, Dadar he is now the "Talk of the Town" by his exploits on field in Ranji Trophy tournament 2023-24. He got the Best Player Award for his eye catching all round performance. Last season, he scored a brilliant century and shared last wicket century record partnership with Tushar Deshpande, who also scored a maiden century.
"Bap se Beta Sawai"
Karuna is proud of his son’s performance. He wished his son should play in the IPL and Tanush did play in the IPL a solitary game for RR. Irani Trophy match performance 64, 114 not out, and 27-2-101-3 plus the spectacular catch to dismiss Abhimanyu Easwaran for 191 is noteworthy.
The Rising Star of Mumbai Cricket is marching towards further glory as new season of Ranji Trophy is beginning from October 11 with Mumbai the holders meeting Baroda. All eyes will be on Mumbai’s team performance in the opening encounter and the blue eyed boy Tanush.
Mumbai Cricket’s glorious achievement is the fruit of efforts taken by Ajinkya Rahane and his talented team members, coach Salvi, support staff, selectors and zealous band of Mumbai Cricket Associations officials.
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