Ranji Trophy 2025: Jammu & Kashmir's Historic Victory Over Mumbai – Match Analysis and Key Performances
Ranji Trophy: Jammu & Kashmir vs Mumbai Match Report
In a remarkable turn of events, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) secured a historic victory over the 42-time Ranji Trophy champions, Mumbai, defeating them by five wickets at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy BKC in Mumbai on January 25, 2025. This win propels J&K to the top of the Group A table with 29 points, leaving Mumbai's title defense in jeopardy.
Match Summary
Venue: Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy BKC, Mumbai
Dates: January 23-25, 2025
Result: Jammu & Kashmir won by 5 wickets
First Innings
Mumbai, opting to bat first, faced a challenging start. Despite a lineup featuring stars like Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, and Shardul Thakur, they were bundled out for a mere 120 runs. The innings was salvaged partially by Shardul Thakur's fighting half-century. For J&K, pacers Umar Nazir and Yudhvir Singh were exceptional, each claiming four wickets.
Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rohit Sharma | 10 | 15 | 2 | 0 |
Yashasvi Jaiswal | 5 | 12 | 1 | 0 |
Ajinkya Rahane | 8 | 20 | 1 | 0 |
Shreyas Iyer | 15 | 25 | 3 | 0 |
Shardul Thakur | 50 | 60 | 6 | 2 |
J&K, in their first innings, capitalized on the momentum, posting 206 runs, thereby securing a crucial 86-run lead. Opener Shubham Khajuria led the charge with a well-crafted 53.
Second Innings
Facing an 86-run deficit, Mumbai's second innings began on a positive note with a 54-run opening partnership between Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal. However, the middle order faltered, and it was again Shardul Thakur, this time with a brilliant century, who propelled Mumbai to a total of 290, setting J&K a target of 205 runs for victory.
J&K's chase was marked by composure and resilience. Despite losing an early wicket, a 75-run partnership between Shubham Khajuria and Vivrant Sharma steadied the innings. Even as Mumbai's bowlers attempted a comeback, Abid Mushtaq's unbeaten knock ensured that J&K crossed the finish line with five wickets in hand.
Key Performances
- Yudhvir Singh: Instrumental with the ball, claiming seven wickets across both innings, including the prized scalps of Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal in the second innings.
- Umar Nazir: Delivered a stellar performance in the first innings, taking four crucial wickets that dismantled Mumbai's top order.
- Shardul Thakur (Mumbai): A standout performer for Mumbai, scoring a half-century in the first innings and a valiant century in the second, showcasing his all-round capabilities.
Historical Context
This victory marks J&K's second consecutive win over Mumbai in Ranji Trophy history, having previously defeated them in the 2014-15 season. Such consecutive victories against Mumbai have been achieved by only one other team, Karnataka, highlighting the significance of J&K's accomplishment.
Conclusion
Jammu and Kashmir's triumph over a star-studded Mumbai side underscores their growth and potential in domestic cricket. Their disciplined approach, both with bat and ball, coupled with exceptional fielding, has set a benchmark for future performances. As they lead Group A, the team will aim to carry forward this momentum in the upcoming matches.
Source: Michael Elkan