Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Irani champions Mumbai thrashed by Baroda in Round 1

Baroda played Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 game at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara on October 14. Baroda won the toss and opted to bat first. After restricting Mumbai to 214, they entered their second innings with a lead of 76 runs. In the second innings, Mumbai tightened their grip by dismissing Baroda’s top and middle order comfortably.

But Krunal Pandya and Mahesh Pithiya rescued the team from a disastrous collapse, Krunal scored 55 runs Mahesh contributed a well-made 40 runs down the order. As a result, the defending champions were given a target of 262 runs. Mumbai started well as Prithvi Shaw and Ayush Mhatre kept churning out runs.

The duo departed, scoring 12 and 22, respectively. Shreyas Iyer and Siddhesh Lad looked to build partnerships with other batters, but with no aid from the other end, they walked back, scoring 30 and 59 runs respectively. Since their departure, the lower order crumbled like a pack of cards. Other than Shams Mulani’s 12-run short inning, no other batters crossed the 10 run-mark. Mumbai were bundled up for 177 and Baroda won the game by 84 runs.

Lad kept one end tight and went on to score a fighting half-century, but with no support from the other end, he finally departed as Bhargav Bhatt dismissed the experienced batter caught & bowled for 59, and Mumbai were bundled out for 177 on the final day of the opening round.

Baroda take on Services next; Mumbai to face neighbours Maharashtra

For Baroda, Bhargav Bhatt dazzled with six wickets, and he was well-supported by Mahesh Pithiya as he claimed two wickets. Baroda sit in the second position in Elite Group A with six points and a Net Run Rate of -0.480. They will take on Services in the next game at the Palam A Stadium in Delhi starting on October 18. On the other hand, Mumbai will play Maharashtra at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy BKC in Mumbai in the second round.