Ranji Trophy 2024: Mumbai qualify for semi-final, set up clash with Tamil Nadu

Mumbai made their way through to the semi-final of Ranji Trophy 2024 after edging past Baroda in the quarterfinal at the Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai.

Mumbai advanced to the semis on the basis of a first innings lead against Vishnu Solanki’s Baroda. Ajinkya Rahane’s men will now face Tamil Nadu in the semi-final, starting Saturday, March 2.

After batting first against Baroda, Mumbai racked up 384 in 140.4 overs on the back of Musheer Khan’s 203. Wicketkeeper Hardik Tamore played a patient 57-run knock off 248 balls.

Mumbai took a lead of 76 runs in their first innings after bowling Baroda out for 348. Shams Mulani was the pick of the bowlers for his team after he finished with impressive figures of 38-3-121-4.

Shashwat Rawat and skipper Solanki scored 124 and 136 respectively, but they were not able to give Baroda the lead.

Kotian, Deshpande shine for Mumbai

Mumbai scored 569 runs in their second innings after centuries from Hardik Tamore, Tanush Kotian and Tushar Deshpande. Tamore scored 114 runs at the top, but it was Kotian and Deshpande’s partnership that stole the limelight.

Kotian and Deshpande put on 233 runs for the 10th wicket as Mumbai put up a massive score. Even as Kotian scored 120 with 10 fours and 4 sixes, Deshpande raced to score 123 off 129 with 10 fours and 8 sixes.

Bhargav Bhatt finished with figures of 52-7-200-7 and was the standout bowler for Baroda. Raj Limbani, Ninad Rathva and Mahesh Pithiya got one wicket apiece.

Baroda finished their second innings at 121 for the loss of 3 wickets in 30 overs. Opening batter Priyanshu Moliya made 54 runs off 89 balls.

After shining with the bat, Kotian picked up the wickets of Moliya and Rawat in the second innings.

Vidarbha and Madhya Pradesh will lock horns in the other semi-final at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur.