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It was already an uphill task for Rest of India to make a comeback on final day of Irani Cup at Bharat Ratna Shir Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow. In two sessions, only two wickets fell and Tanush Kotian scored an unbeaten century as Mumbai won the Irani Cup after 27 years on the basis of first innings lead.
The last time Mumbai won Irani Cup was in 1994 under the leadership of Sanjay Manjrekar. This is their 15th Irani Cup title win. In 1965, Mumbai shared the trophy as rain played spoilsport before first innings of Rest of India were completed.
On Day 5, only Saransh Jain bagged a couple of wickets. Sarfaraz Khan was dismissed lbw for 17 whereas Shardul Thakur was stumped out for a single-digit score early in the first session. But Mohit Avasthi managed to play the supporting role Kotian needed from the other end. Kotian was lucky when his catch was dropped by Mukesh Kumar at covers off Manav Suthar's bowling. Mumbai were 260/8 after 65 overs after first session.
In the second session, Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan bowled as well. Kotian reached his century from 135 balls. Avasthi got a reprieve when Ishan Kishan dropped his catch and injured his finger in process. Mohit took on Suthar and hit him for a four and a six to reach his fifty. Mumbai's score was 329/8 when captains of both sides shook hands and Mumbai won on the basis of first innings lead. Avasthi scored 51 runs from 93 balls. On the other end, Kotian remained unbeaten for 114 from 150 balls.
Sarfaraz shines with record-breaking display
Earlier in the Test, Rest of India skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss and opted to bowl first. The top-order failed but Rahane's 97, fifties from Kotian and Shreyas Iyer supported Sarfaraz Khan who remained not out for an unbeaten 222. Mumbai posted 537 in the first innings despite Mukesh's five-wicket haul.
Easwaranโs fightback
In reply, Gaikwad, Sudharsan and Padikkal failed to make a mark. Kishan could not convert the start into a big score either. Abhimanyu Easwaran stood up to the task and had Dhruv Jurel by his side. Easwaran scored 191 runs from 292 balls. Wicketkeeper-batter Jurel missed his century and lost his wicket to Shams Mulani for 93. Rest of India were bowled out for 416. On Day 4, Prithvi Shaw scored 76 to end his rough patch in red-ball cricket.
