Gujarat wins maiden Ranji Trophy 2017

Honestly, even those of us following the fortunes of 27 teams this season, may not be able to identify at least 5 palyers from this line-up : SB Gohel, PK Panchal, BH Merai, Parthiv Patel, MC Juneja, RH Bhatt, CJ Gandhi, RB Kalaria, CT Gaja, Rudra Pratap Singh, & HP Patel – two of better known players – Bumrah was away on National duty, Axar Patel nursing an injury !

The news is Mumbai is beaten and Gujarat has won their maiden Ranji trophy. 

For those who do not follow Cricket history much, Ranji Trophy is a domestic first-class cricket championship played in India between different city and state sides, equivalent to the County Championship in England and the Sheffield Shield in Australia. The competition is named after Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji (Jam Sahib of Nawanagar, also known as "Ranji") This Indian King born in 1872 played in Tests for the English Cricket team and also first-class cricket for Cambridge University, and county cricket for Sussex.  Neville Cardus described him as "the Midsummer night's dream of cricket  Ranji trophy was inaugurated in 1934 by the Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala.  The first ball was bowled by MJ Gopalan to N Curtis on 4th Nov 1934.

Today, the Ranji Trophy final was delicately poised – Gujarat set a big 4th innings target could have had it easy playing for a draw as it had the first innings lead.   They were in for some trouble as they lost 2 quick wickets this morning at 51 and then were 89/3,  A good 53 by MC Juneja and a Captain’s knock of 143 by Parthiv Patel (with 24 fours) ensured they chased 311 and won !  Chintan Tarunbhai Gaja had a six for in Mumbai’s 2nd innings.

Of their 45 appearances in the finals, Bombay has won 41; followed by Karnataka 8; Delhi 7 and Baroda 5.  From 1956-57, Bombay established a remarkable stranglehold over the tournament, winning 15 straight titles and 18 in 19 years.

Jasprit Bumrah’s finely calibrated with pace, six wickets for 29 in 2nd innings broke Jarkhand and landed them in the finals after 65 years.  Parthiv Patel scored 90 and 143 – yet, Aditya Tare, the Mumbai captain, said, "He played a good knock, he rode his luck quite a bit. We have ourselves to blame for the catches dropped behind the wicket”

For those interested in statistics, Gujarat played Finals in 1951 against Holkar and lost by 189 runs.  In the match played at this same venue, Indore, Holkar playing 1st made 429 aided by Mushtaq Ali 187 and KM Rangnekar 97. Vinoo Mankad took 6 for 132.  Gujarat made 327 with Kishenchand top scoring 98; JH Shodhan 75; Paul Umrigar 57 & Walter DSouza 50.  Holkar posted huge 443 with Chandu Sarwate making 234.  In the chase, Gujarat were all out for 356 last man JM Patel making 152

Interesting !

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

14th Jan 2017.