Rohit Sharma-starrer Mumbai have suffered a major upset in the sixth round of the Ranji trophy as Jammu and Kashmir outclassed the reigning champions at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy BKC, Mumbai on Saturday, January 25.
The Paras Dogra-led J-K side gunned down the 205-run target on the third day of the Group A clash as Shardul Thakur's efforts went in vain. Thakur had been the saviour for Mumbai in both innings with the bat and had also picked two wickets in the first innings.
Shams Mulani was the star with the ball in the second essay, scalping four wickets, but his effort was in vain, too, as J-K registered a famous win. Abid Mushtaq hit a six to finish the game when his team needed four runs to win.
It was disappointing for the star-studded Mumbai side, boasting internationals like Rohit, Ajinkya Rahane, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube and Shardul.
The victory takes Jammu and Kashmir to the top of Group A with 29 points from six matches (four wins and two draws). Mumbai are third with 22 points (three wins, two losses and one draw). Baroda are sandwiched between them with 27 points from five matches (four wins and 1 draw).
Mumbai are the reigning champions of the premier Ranji trophy and are also the Irani Cup winners. However, their batters didn't had a fruitful outing in the game against J&K.
Star internationals Rohit Sharma, Rahane, Jaiswal, Shreyas and Dube had underwhelming outings with the bat. Rohit was dismissed for three and 28 in the two innings that he batted, while Jaiswal made four and 26 in the two innings. Captain Rahane was dismissed for 12 and 16, while Shreyas made 11 and 17.
Shardul was the saviour in both innings. When Mumbai were reeling at 47/7 in the first innings, the all-rounder made 51 to take them to 120. When the reigning champions were in choppy waters at 101/7 with a meagre lead of 15, he hit 119, while Tanush Kotian made 62 to take them to 290. However, the 205-run target turned out to be way too low.