Baroda defeated the defending champions Mumbai in the first round of matches in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 by 84 runs at Vadodara International Cricket Stadium. Chasing a target of 262 runs, Mumbai were favorites to win before left-arm spinner Bhargav Bhatt went on to take a six-wicket haul as Baroda registered a famous win to kick-start their Ranji Trophy 2024-25 campaign style. Mumbai were bowled out for 177 runs on day four with Bhargav Bhatt registering match-winning figures of 6/55.
After taking a lead of 76 runs in the first innings, Baroda were looking to give a big target to Mumbai, However their batters couldn’t occupy before they were bowled out for 185 runs in the second innings. Krunal Pandya played a captain’s knock of 55(144) runs, while Mahesh Pithiya also scored a crucial 40(60) runs as Baroda set a target of 262 runs for Mumbai.
Siddhesh Lad scores fighting fifty for Mumbai against Baroda in run chase
Coming to chase the target, Mumbai kept losing wicket at regular intervals and the score was reduced to 63/4 at one stage. After that, Shreyas Iyer and Siddhesh Lad put brought Mumbai back to the game with a partnership of 41 runs. Iyer got out after scoring 30(37) runs with three boundaries. Lad kept scoring from one end with wickets falling regularly from the other end. However, as the right-hander didn’t get much support from the rest of the batters, he was unable to take Mumbai over the finishing line, getting dismissed as the last batter of the innings after scoring 59(94) runs with six fours and a maximum.
Bhargav Bhatt took the massive scalp of Siddhesh Lad to complete his six-wicket haul, and guide Baroda to a big win against Mumbai. Bhatt had also picked up four wickets in the first innings, finishing up with a 10-wicket haul in the match. He was given the player of the match award for his match-winning bowling performance in both the innings for Baroda.
