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In a remarkable upset, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) defeated a star-studded Mumbai team by five wickets in their Group A Ranji Trophy match on Saturday. Mumbai, the 42-time champions and home to cricket legends, were left reeling as Paras Dogra’s J&K side showcased grit and determination to secure their fourth win of the season.
The match, played at Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), saw J&K chasing down a target of 205 to seal a historic victory. This marked J&K’s second-ever win against Mumbai in the tournament’s history, with their first triumph dating back to the 2014-15 season at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. Coincidentally, both matches were low-scoring affairs, underscoring J&K’s ability to thrive under pressure.
Match Highlights
Mumbai struggled in their first innings, bowled out for a mere 120 runs. J&K capitalized on the situation, posting 206 in response to take a slender first-innings lead. Mumbai fought back in their second innings, largely thanks to Shardul Thakur’s heroics. Thakur scored a valiant 50 in the first innings and followed it up with a sensational century in the second, guiding Mumbai to a total of 290.
Despite Thakur’s efforts, J&K’s batting lineup held their nerve. Contributions from Vivrant Sharma (38), Shubham Khajuria (45), and Abid Mushtaq (32) ensured the visitors chased down the target with five wickets in hand. This victory not only solidified J&K’s position at the top of Group A with 29 points but also demonstrated their ability to compete with India’s most dominant teams.
J & K WIN! 👏👏
Abid Mushtaq finishes it off in style with a 6⃣ 💥
J & K beat Mumbai by 5 wickets, chasing down 205 👌
What a crucial & fantastic victory for them! 🔥#RanjiTrophy | @IDFCFIRSTBank
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/oYXDhqotjO pic.twitter.com/SG0Ni1n9ZO
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) January 25, 2025
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Mumbai’s struggle
Mumbai, led by Ajinkya Rahane and featuring Indian Test skipper Rohit Sharma, had a disappointing outing. Rohit, making a rare appearance in the Ranji Trophy, managed scores of just 3 and 28 in the two innings. The loss was particularly painful for Mumbai, given their illustrious history and strong lineup.
With this defeat, Mumbai remains third in the Group A standings with 22 points. They have won three matches, lost two, and drawn one so far this season. The loss also highlights Mumbai’s inconsistency in the ongoing Ranji Trophy campaign.
Irfan Pathan’s praise for J&K
Former Indian cricketer and J&K mentor Irfan Pathan lauded the team’s performance. Taking to Twitter, Pathan wrote, “What a great win J&K cricket vs champion Mumbai side. It always makes me smile to see their growth on the cricket field.”
What a great win J&k cricket vs champion Mumbai side. It always makes me smile to see their growth on the cricket field. @ABDULSAMAD___1 #shubhamkhajuria #RanjiTrophy
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 25, 2025
Pathan’s words resonate with the cricketing fraternity, as J&K’s journey has been one of resilience and perseverance. Overcoming the odds to defeat a team as decorated as Mumbai is a testament to their growing stature in domestic cricket.
For J&K, this victory is a significant milestone, boosting their confidence as they aim for further success in the tournament. Meanwhile, Mumbai will need to regroup and address their shortcomings as the competition intensifies.
With three matches left in the league stage, both teams have everything to play for. J&K will hope to maintain their momentum, while Mumbai must bounce back to keep their campaign alive.
Also READ: J&K pacer Umar Nazir Mir reveals why he refused to celebrate the prized scalp of Mumbai’s Rohit Sharma in Ranji Trophy
