Mumbai secured their historic 42nd Ranji Trophy title after defeating Vidarbha by a convincing margin of 169 runs in the finals played at the Wankhede Stadium.
Set a mammoth target of 538 runs late on the third day, Vidarbha displayed remarkable grit to extend the match into the final day. Their skipper, Akshay Wadkar, played a crucial role in their fightback, batting solidly throughout the final day's first session. However, their resistance crumbled in the second session, losing their last five wickets for a mere 15 runs.
Resuming the final day needing 298 runs with five wickets remaining, Vidarbha's overnight pair of Wadkar and Harsh Dubey frustrated the Mumbai bowlers in the first session. They added a crucial 93 runs before lunch, keeping their team's hopes alive. The session witnessed some heated exchanges as Mumbai's Musheer Khan and Wadkar engaged in a verbal spat.
Wadkar went on to score a well-deserved century soon after lunch, raising hopes for a potential Vidarbha win. However, the tide turned dramatically when Tanush Kotian provided the breakthrough, dismissing the in-form skipper. This dismissal triggered a Vidarbha collapse, as they lost their remaining wickets for just 15 runs in a span of five overs.
Dhawal Kulkarni, playing the last match of his illustrious career, picked up the final wicket, castling Umesh Yadav, to seal a memorable victory for Mumbai. This win marks their record-extending 42nd Ranji Trophy title, further solidifying their dominance in the premier domestic first-class cricket tournament of India.