Watch: Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane hit a crucial fifty in the third innings of the 2024 Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha.

Shardul Thakur’s 69-ball 75 helped Mumbai reach 224 after they were reeling at 111-6 in the 2024 Ranji Trophy final at Wankhede Stadium. For Vidarbha, Harsh Dubey claimed 3-62 and Yash Thakur 3-54.

Vidarbha lasted only 45.3 overs in response, and were bowled out for 105 by the second morning. Of the four men who reached double figures, only Atharva Taide (23) and Yash Rathod (27) went past twenty as Dhawal Kulkarni (3-15), Shams Mulani (3-32), and Tanush Kotian (3-7) claimed three wickets apiece.

Mumbai lost openers Prithvi Shaw and Bhupen Lalwani with 34 on the board, but Musheer Khan and Ajinkya Rahane stayed put. Dropped from the Indian Test side in late 2023, Rahane has not been able to make a mark in the Ranji Trophy. From 12 innings – including the first innings of the final – he had made 141 runs at 12.82.

However, he played some exquisite shots here, and brought up his second fifty off the season in 88 balls. He hit four fours and a six to finish unbeaten on 58, with Musheer (51) for company.

By stumps on the second day, the pair had added 107, taken Mumbai to 141-2, and stretched the lead to 260.

Watch Ajinkya Rahane hit a fifty in the 2024 Ranji Trophy final:

Ajinkya Rahane has played some cracking strokes so far on his way to a crucial half-century 🙌 📽️@ajinkyarahane88 | @IDFCFIRSTBank | #Final | #MUMvVID

Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/k7JhkLhOID pic.twitter.com/S4yjwLE03r

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) March 11, 2024

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