Mumbai today won their 37th Ranji Trophy title by registering a 132-run
win over Bengal at the Wankhede Stadium here today.
Chasing a stiff target of 472 runs for victory by the home
team, Bengal made a strong effort to reach the target before folding up for
339 in their second innings after tea.
The Bengal charge to the victory target was led by former India Captain Sourav Ganguly and exciting young batsman Manoj Tiwary
who scored 90 and 94 respectively before Mumbai bowlers led by Zaheer Khan hit back strongly with the new ball.
The left-arm pacer took four wickets in the second innings
to add to his first innings haul of five on his debut for Mumbai while Ajit
Agarkar and Wilkin Mota grabbed two wickets apiece.
Bengal captain Deep Dasgupta made 57 and Rohan Gavaskar
came up with a knock of 46, but in the end Mumbai carried enough fire power
to regain the crown which they last won two seasons ago by defeating Tamil Nadu
in the final.
Brief scores: Mumbai 320 and 294.
Bengal 143 and 339 (Deep Dasgupta 57, Manoj Tiwary 94, Sourav
Ganguly 90, Rohan Gavaskar 46; Zaheer Khan 4-119, Ajit Agarkar 2-56, Wilkin
Mota 2-34).
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