Baroda pulled off a stunning victory over defending champions Mumbai by 84 runs in the opening match of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season on October 14. This win marked Baroda’s first victory over Mumbai in 26 years, a significant achievement for the team.
The star of the match was left-arm spinner Bhargav Bhatt, whose exceptional bowling sealed the win for Baroda. Bhatt took 6 wickets for 55 runs in the second innings, adding to his 4 wickets for 53 runs in the first innings, totaling an impressive 10-wicket haul. His accurate spin broke crucial partnerships, earning him the Player of the Match award.
Mumbai struggled to build significant partnerships despite a promising start to their second innings. Siddhesh Lad fought hard with a commendable 59 runs off 94 balls, but he found little support from his teammates. Mumbai lost six wickets for just 73 runs during a critical phase of their chase, ultimately falling short of the target of 262 runs set by Baroda.
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The cricket community took to Twitter to praise Baroda’s performance and acknowledge Mumbai’s struggles. Users highlighted Bhargav Bhatt’s outstanding bowling and the significance of Baroda’s win. One user noted, “Baroda win outright vs Mumbai. Bhargav Bhatt with 345 first-class wickets picks up 10 in the match.” Another user praised the team’s resilience, saying, “Well played Baroda, at one stage, they were 90-5 in the first innings and 41-6 in the second innings.”
This victory sets a strong precedent for Baroda’s Ranji Trophy campaign. They will next face Services in Delhi, aiming to build on this momentum. Meanwhile, Mumbai must regroup quickly as they prepare for their upcoming clash against Maharashtra on October 18. The early setback poses challenges for the defending champions as they strive to regain their form.
Baroda’s win was also attributed to other key performances. Mitesh Patel scored 86 runs, Atit Sheth contributed 66 and 26 runs in the two innings, and Krunal Pandya took 1 wicket and scored 55 runs. These contributions were crucial in setting up the victory.
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Baroda’s historic win over Mumbai is a significant start to the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season. With Bhargav Bhatt’s outstanding performance and the team’s collective effort, Baroda has set the stage for a promising campaign.
