MCA doubles up Mumbai's prize money to celebrate 42nd Ranji Trophy conquest

Mumbai clinched their 42nd Ranji Trophy title as they beat Vidarbha by 169 runs in the final on Thursday, March 14, at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. After being bundled out for 224 in the first innings, the Ajinkya Rahane-led side made a sensational comeback scoring a massive 418 in the second innings, to set a massive target of 538 for Vidarbha in the fourth innings. 

Despite their captain Akshay Wadkar’s marvellous hundred (102 off 199), Vidarbha could only manage to reach 368 in their quest for silverware. Following their victory, Mumbai were awarded INR 5 crore as prize money for winning India’s premier domestic tournament. However, in a landmark move, Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), announced to double the prize money for the champion side.

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MCA Secretary Ajinkya Naik and President Amol Kale made an official announcement of supplementing an additional INR 5 crore to Mumbai’s prize money as they’ve had a phenomenal domestic season winning seven laurels.

"MCA (Mumbai Cricket Association) President Amol Kale and Apex Council has decided to double the Ranji Trophy prize money. The MCA will pay an additional sum of five crore rupees to the winning Mumbai Ranji Trophy team. It has been a great year for the MCA as the association has won 7 titles and we have made it to the knockout stages in all age groups in BCCI tournaments,” said Naik and Kale in a statement.

Tanush Kotian adjudged Player of the Tournament

Meanwhile, runners-up Vidarbha were awarded INR 3 Crore while Player of the Tournament Tanush Kotian was awarded INR 2.5 lakh for his splendid displays with the bat and the ball during the course of the tournament. Notably, the bowling all-rounder scored 502 runs from 14 innings in the season at an average of 41.83 with five fifties and one hundred to his name. With the ball, the off-spinner scalped 29 wickets from 18 innings at an average of 16.96 and an economy of 2.91.

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19-year-old Musheer Khan took home the Player of the Match award for his splendid 136 off 326 deliveries in Mumbai's second innings, which included ten fours. He eclipsed the legendary Sachin Tendulkar's record to become the youngest centurion in a Ranji Trophy final, achieving the feat at the age of 19 years and 14 days. Musheer also picked up 2/48 in 24 overs in the final innings of the game, and for his overall performance throughout the match, was awarded INR 50,000 as prize money for being adjudged Player of the Match.