Ranji Trophy: How Mumbai defeated Haryana to reach semi-finals
What's the story
Mumbai made it to the 2024/25 Ranji Trophy semi-final after a stunning 152-run win over Haryana at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
The win was made possible by the brilliant show of skipper Ajinkya Rahane, all-rounder Shardul Thakur, as well as fast bowler Royston Dias.
Rahane slammed a century while Thakur and Dias took match-winning five-wickets.
The win keeps Mumbai's hopes alive for defending their title in the prestigious red-ball tournament.
Match-winning knock
Rahane shifts momentum in Mumbai's favor
Rahane was instrumental in the quarter-final match, scoring his first hundred of the ongoing First-Class season. His brilliant knock, which included 13 boundaries, set a challenging target for Haryana.
Rahane was well-supported by Suryakumar Yadav, who scored a gritty 70 runs in the second innings.
This was Rahane's 41st First-Class hundred, which he scored in his 200th red-ball cricket match.
Rahane
Rahane closes in on 14,000 FC runs
Rahane was eventually dismissed for 108 off 180 balls (13 fours) in the second innings.
Playing his 200th First-Class game, he has now raced to 13,970 runs in with his average being over 45, as per ESPNcricinfo.
The tally includes 41 tons and 59 half-centuries. 265* reads his highest score in the format.
In Test cricket, Rahane has mustered 5,077 runs in 85 games at an average of 38.46 with 12 centuries and 26 half-centuries.
Dominant performance
Thakur's nine-wicket haul downs Haryana
Thakur also played a key role in Mumbai's win, taking nine wickets in the match.
His six-wicket haul saw Haryana's batting collapse and gave Mumbai a first-innings lead.
The pacer's briliance meant Haryana were folded for 301 after Mumbai posted 315/10 while batting first. Thakur overall finished with figures worth 6/58 in 18.5 overs.
He has now raced to 296 wickets in First-Class cricket.
Final innings
Haryana's chase thwarted by Dias and Thakur
Mumbai set Haryana a target of 354 runs. Despite having enough time, their chase was affected by Dias and Thakur's bowling on a crumbling Kolkata pitch.
Haryana were eventually bowled out for 201 runs in their final innings.
Haryana's chase lacked momentum and were bowled out in just over 57 overs. Lakshhya Dalal and Sumit Kumar slammed half-centuries.
Decisive performance
Dias's career-best haul seals Mumbai's victory
Notably, Dias registered a career-best performance, claiming five wickets for 39 runs in 10.3 overs. This was his maiden fifer in First-Class cricket.
His brilliant spell of bowling was instrumental in Mumbai's win, as Haryana lost their last five wickets in the last hour of play.
The match concluded with Mumbai winning by a comfortable 152 runs, entering the Ranji Trophy semi-finals.