By BD Narayankar
Bengaluru, Dec 15 (UNI) In an exciting finale at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Mumbai clinched the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024, overcoming Madhya Pradesh in dramatic fashion.
The star of the show was Suryansh Shedge, whose blazing knock under pressure sealed the deal for Mumbai on Sunday.
This victory marks Mumbai’s second title in three seasons, having last claimed the trophy in 2022-23. Remarkably, they achieved this feat by losing just one match throughout the tournament.
Chasing 175, Mumbai got off to a shaky start as Madhya Pradesh’s disciplined bowling sent Prithvi Shaw (10) and skipper Shreyas Iyer (16) packing early. The experienced duo of Ajinkya Rahane (37 off 30) and Suryakumar Yadav (48 off 35) steadied the innings, crafting a vital 52-run partnership. However, their quick dismissals left Mumbai with a daunting equation: 86 runs needed from the final 10 overs.
That’s when Shedge entered the stage like a man on a mission. Unfazed by the mounting pressure, the youngster smashed a whirlwind 36* off just 15 balls, including three towering sixes that electrified the stadium. One of his standout shots was a jaw-dropping sweep over deep square leg off Venkatesh Iyer, showcasing both audacity and class.
Shedge found an able ally in Atharva Ankolekar, who contributed a fiery 16* off 6 balls. Ankolekar sealed the win in style, smashing a six with 13 balls to spare, as Mumbai celebrated a spectacular triumph.
Earlier, Madhya Pradesh skipper Rajat Patidar played a captain’s knock, hammering 81 off just 40 balls to propel his team to a competitive 174/8. Walking in after MP had slumped to 6/2 in the second over, Patidar launched a stunning counterattack, punishing the bowlers with six boundaries and an equal number of sixes.
His audacious stroke play included a no-look hook and a massive six over the sightscreen, both off Shardul Thakur (2/41). Partnering with Rahul Batham (9 off 14), Patidar stitched a crucial 56-run stand for the sixth wicket, injecting life into MP’s innings in the death overs.
The match wasn’t without its share of controversies. In MP’s innings, a no-ball call in the 19th over was overturned after review, leading to heated discussions between Patidar and the umpires. Later, Ajinkya Rahane’s low catch to dismiss Venkatesh Iyer (17 off 9) sparked further debate, with replays inconclusive about whether the ball had touched the ground.
For MP, Kumar Kartikeya and Tripuresh Singh delivered disciplined spells, but they couldn’t withstand the late onslaught from Shedge and Ankolekar. Mumbai’s bowlers, led by Thakur and Royston Dias (2/32), had earlier ensured MP didn’t run away with the game, setting the stage for a thrilling chase.
Mumbai’s triumph in this high-octane final is not just a testament to their depth and talent but also a celebration of young guns like Shedge rising to the occasion. For Madhya Pradesh, Patidar’s heroics may have gone in vain, but they left an indelible mark in a match that will be remembered as one of the most riveting finals in the tournament’s history.
Brief Scores: Madhya Pradesh: 174/8 (Rajat Patidar 81 off 40, Shardul Thakur 2/41, Royston Dias 2/32); Mumbai: 175/6 (Suryakumar Yadav 48 off 35, Ajinkya Rahane 37 off 30, Suryansh Shedge 36* off 15, Atharva Ankolekar 16* off 6); Mumbai won by 5 wickets with 13 balls to spare.
