Mumbai stapled their spot in the Ranji Trophy 2025-2026 knockout stages following a dominant nine-wicket victory over Hyderabad in their Elite Group D clash on January 25. Entering the final day needing only three wickets to wrap up the innings, Mumbai’s bowling attack remained clinical. Hyderabad, who resumed at 166/7, managed to reach 302 before being bowled out, but the effort was not enough to force a competitive lead.
Musheer Khan steers Mumbai to Ranji Trophy knockouts
The star of the final morning was Musheer Khan, whose exceptional left-arm spin decimated the tail. By claiming two of the final three wickets, he secured a prestigious five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 5 for 49. His performance left Mumbai with a trivial target of just 10 runs for victory, which they chased down in 3.2 overs despite the loss of one wicket.
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This comprehensive win further solidifies Mumbai’s position at the summit of the Elite Group D table, where they sit comfortably with 30 points. Their dominance this season is underscored by the gap between them and their nearest rivals; Jammu and Kashmir currently hold second place with 21 points, followed by Chhattisgarh with 17. Both chasing teams were forced to settle for draws in their respective matches against Puducherry and Delhi due to inclement weather and stubborn resistance.
Hyderabad's batting collapse
The foundation for this victory was laid early in the match when Mumbai piled up a massive 561/6 before declaring. After dismissing Hyderabad for 282 in the first innings, skipper Siddhesh Lad made the tactical decision to enforce the follow-on. That pressure proved too much for the home side, who were already reeling at 166 for seven by the end of the third day, setting the stage for Mumbai’s final surge on Sunday morning.
While Mumbai had technically guaranteed their place in the knockout stages the moment they secured a first-innings lead, this outright victory served to further cement their dominance at the top of the group. The win not only provided a psychological boost but also ensured they remain the team to beat heading into the next phase of the tournament.
The final day was highlighted by a resilient performance from Hyderabad’s Chama Milind, who fought hard to delay the inevitable. Resuming his innings at 30, Milind played a standout knock of 85 from 128 deliveries. He anchored two significant partnerships that pushed the game deeper into the day, adding 69 runs with Nitin Sai Yadav and another 61 runs alongside skipper Mohammed Siraj.
The resistance eventually ended when Milind became the final wicket to fall, marking the fifth victim for the impressive Musheer Khan. Supporting the spin attack, Onkar Tarmale, who had been drafted into the lineup as an injury replacement for Atharva Ankolekar, removed Siraj to finish with solid figures of 2/48. Additionally, pacer Mohit Avasthi proved highly effective in his short spell, claiming three wickets for 47 runs in just nine overs to help wrap up the innings.