Heavyweights Mumbai face Vidarbha in crunch Ranji Trophy 2024/25 semi-final
What's the story
The next Ranji Trophy semi-final will witness a clash between Mumbai and Vidarbha, with the former being touted as favorites despite injury concerns.
The match will begin on Monday.
This encounter is a repeat of last year's final where Mumbai emerged victorious.
Mumbai will need to be wary of Vidarbha, who have several top names firing this season for the side.
Here's more.
Team strength
Mumbai's star-studded lineup and resilient performance
Mumbai's team is still pretty strong with Ajinkya Rahane, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, and Shardul Thakur.
Their resilience has been on display all season long.
Even when their top-order crumbled, lower-order batters like Thakur and Tanush Kotian delivered commendable performances.
In the quarter-final against Haryana, Shams Mulani and Kotian turned the game around by scoring 183 runs for the eighth wicket after a shaky start at 113 for seven.
Opposition strategy
Vidarbha's consistent performance and bowling prowess
On the other hand, Vidarbha have been on a roll this season.
Their bowling attack may not have big names but Harsh Dubey, Yash Thakur, Aditya Thakare, and Nachiket Bhut have been doing the job for the team.
Dubey is topping the wicket-taker chart this Ranji season with 59 dismissals to his name. He averages 15.06 and owns six five-wicket hauls.
Vidarbha will hope to cash in on this and put early pressure on Mumbai's slightly shaky top-order.
Batting comparison
A look at the batting performance of both teams
Siddhesh Lad tops their chart for Mumbai with 565 runs at 70.62. He owns two tons and two fifties.
Vidarbha's Yash Rathod, on the other hand, has scored 728 runs this season, making him the fourth-highest run-getter. He averages 52 with 4 tons and 2 fifties under his belt.
Karun Nair (591) and skipper Akshay Wadkar (588) have also added significantly to Vidarbha's run tally.
Jaiswal
Yashasvi Jaiswal to miss Ranji Trophy semi-final due to injury
Team India opener Yashasvi Jasiwal has been ruled out of Mumbai's upcoming Ranji Trophy semi-final against Vidarbha, owing to an ankle injury.
The setback comes just days after he was dropped from India's Champions Trophy squad.
The young gun injured his right ankle during a training session over the weekend, rendering him unfit for the all-important knockout match, starting on February 17.