'We lost the match at 9 o'clock on day one' - Tamil Nadu coach highlights blunder at toss after Ranji semi-final drubbing

Tamil Nadu's semi-final dreams in the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 were shattered, courtesy of a contentious decision at the toss. Coach Sulakshan Kulkarni expressed his dismay, attributing the loss to captain R Sai Kishore's choice to bat first, despite favourable bowling conditions. Kulkarni lamented the missed opportunity, emphasising the team's preparedness to bowl first.

However, Sai Kishore's decision backfired spectacularly as Tamil Nadu found themselves reeling at 42 for 5 in the opening session. With a paltry total of 146, they couldn't match Mumbai's formidable score of 378. Despite a valiant effort in their second innings, Tamil Nadu's 162 wasn't enough, sealing their fate in the tournament within three days.

"I always speak straightforward -- we lost the match at 9 o'clock on day one. The moment I saw the wicket I exactly knew what we were going to get. Everything was set, we won the toss, as a coach, as a Mumbaikar, I know the conditions well. We should have bowled but the captain had some different instinct,” Kulkarni said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

"When I saw that they had played on a different pitch in the quarter-final and what wicket they gave, (that) moment I realised that this is a seaming-friendly wicket and it was going to be a very tough match, we would have to play really well to win this game,” he added.

Read More: Ranji Trophy 2024: Mumbai hammer Tamil Nadu to reach final for record 47th time

Shardul Thakur tilted game in Mumbai’s favour 

Tamil Nadu found a glimmer of hope after reducing Mumbai to 106 for 7 during the 48th over. However, their resurgence was short-lived as Shardul Thakur, batting at No. 9, launched a spectacular onslaught. Thakur's blistering 105-ball 109, coupled with partnerships worth 105 and 79 runs with Hardik Tamore and Tanush Kotian respectively, tilted the scales firmly in Mumbai's favour.

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Tushar Deshpande and Kotian further compounded Tamil Nadu's woes by adding 88 runs for the final wicket. Mumbai's commanding lead of 232 runs dashed any hopes of a Tamil Nadu comeback in the first innings.