Madhya Pradesh won their first Ranji Trophy since 1952/53 – they used to be called Holkar back then – with a six-wicket win over Mumbai in the 2021/22 final, at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. Mumbai had to defend only 108, and Dhawal Kulkarni (1-7) ignited some hope by clean bowling Yash Dubey (1) in the second over. However, Himanshu Mantri (37) and Shubham Sharma (30) steadied the ship with a 52-run stand for the second wicket.
Shams Mulani (3-41) kept striking at one end, but they were not enough to prevent an MP win. Mantri was bowled trying to sweep him, while Parth Sahani (5) was caught at deep mid wicket. And with only seven to score, Shubham reached out for a wide ball and lobbed it to point. Rajat Patidar (30*) and Aditya Shrivastava (1*) then got the remaining runs.
Mumbai began the day on 113/2. Having conceded a first-innings lead, they had to go for an outright win. Armaan Jaffer fell for 40 (in 37 balls), Suved Parkar top-scored with 58 (51 balls), while Sarfaraz Khan (45 in 48 balls) played some delightful strokes. But Mumbai, 192/3 at one point, collapsed to 269. Kumar Kartikeya (4-98) led the rout with assistance from Sahani (2-43) and Gaurav Yadav (2-53).
Sarfaraz's 982 runs won him the Player of the Tournament award.
Brief scores
Mumbai 374 (Sarfaraz Khan 134; Gaurav Yadav 4-106) and 269 (Suved Parkar 51; Kumar Kartikeya 4-98) lost to Madhya Pradesh 536 (Yash Dubey 133, Rajat Patidar 122, Shubham Sharma 116; Shams Mulani 5-173) and 108/4 (Himanshu Mantri 37; Shams Mulani 3-41) by 6 wickets. Player of the Match: Shubham Sharma.
Madhya Pradesh won Ranji Trophy 2021/22. Player of the Tournament: Sarfaraz Khan.