Mumbai champions in unbeaten campaign

Jan 16, 2008

Bhuvneshwar Kumar gave Uttar Pradesh a super start after they chose to field, helping restrict Mumbai to 55 for 4•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Rohit was streaky, but propped up Mumbai with 141, his fourth first-class century and third in the Ranji Trophy•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Shulka was dropped twice, but stayed patient, unhurried in his strokeplay and body language•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Wasim Jaffer faced up to some indifferent bowling, and batted himself to 74 by the close on day three•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Samant lost Jaffer for 85, but moved on to a maiden first-class century•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Then Abhishek Nayar came to the crease, and scored 99 in a crucial stand of 207 with Rohit Sharma•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

After frustrating UP with the bat and helping Mumbai to 402, Zaheer Khan nipped out two wickets before stumps on day two•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

With more than 20 hours gone between dismissals, Shukla was dismissed by Zaheer for 99, though it was a contentious decision•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Vinayak Samant had few hassles himself, and collected an unbeaten 53 in a stand of 130 by stumps•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Rohit was all class in the second innings as he brought up his second century of the match•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

After an 821-minute epic in the semi-final, Shivakant Shukla found himself faced with another challenge, and acquitted himself well•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

In his second spell with the second new ball today, Zaheer took five wickets for 20 runs, and UP went from 214 for 4 to 245 all out•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Jaffer and Samant found it easy, and did exactly what was required to start the home stretch towards yet another title•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Mumbai shot out UP for 281 on the fifth day to win their 38th Ranji Trophy title•ESPNcricinfo Ltd