Mumbai star Suryakumar Yadav with Vidarbha’s Karun Nair and Wakhare.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Two titles and a runner-up finish in the last decade. And a knockouts faceoff for the second successive season. No wonder that Mumbai versus Maharashtra is passe. It’s Mumbai vs Vidarbha that’s emerged as the new Maharashtra Derby in the Ranji Trophy.
Akshay Wadkar’s low-profile yet high on confidence Vidarbha takes on Ajinkya Rahane-led star-studded Mumbai in the semifinal starting on Monday at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium on the outskirts of the Orange City.
Vidarbha has enjoyed great success right through the season – before and after the limited-overs leg. Rahane admitted that host Vidarbha has a slight edge heading into the crucial tie, especially at Jamtha.
The black soil strip at the stadium – prepared by Abhijit Piprode’s team under the watchful eyes of senior BCCI curator Taposh Chatterjee – is likely to hand advantage to the team that bats big in the first innings.
In this respect, Vidarbha will hope to stifle a shaky Mumbai top six despite the presence of Rahane and Suryakumar Yadav. With Yashasvi Jaiswal having been ruled out due to a mysterious ankle injury, an inconsistent Mumbai batting line-up remains fickle as ever.
If the Vidarbha bowlers – especially lead spinner Harsh Dubey – can account for the all-rounder trio of Shams Mulani, Shardul Thakur and Tanush Kotian who have been Mumbai’s saviours for most of the past two seasons – then the home team can hope to get one step closer to its third title.
Jaiswal’s unavailability – he was released from the squad on Sunday – will mean Ayush Mhatre will get another opportunity. Having started the first half on an impressive note, the 17-year-old will be under pressure to come good in the big game.
Published – February 16, 2025 07:23 pm IST
