Ranji Trophy | Madhya Pradesh creates history, beats Mumbai to lift maiden cup

Madhya Pradesh created history and captured their maiden Ranji Trophy title by outclassing 41-time champions Mumbai in the finals by six wickets at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday.

Madhya Pradesh crushed the favourites Mumbai by six wickets in a one-sided Ranji Trophy final on June 26 to lift their maiden trophy. Credit: PTI Photo

On the final day, Mumbai could only manage 269 in their second innings, leaving MP with a paltry target of 108. Credit: PTI Photo

Rajat Patidar and captain Aditya Shrivastava played a crucial knock that took their team to their maiden title, outclassing 41-time champions Mumbai. Credit: PTI Photo

MP's Kumar Kartikeya shone bright with 4/98 and the other bowlers also helped him from the other side. Credit: PTI Photo

While chasing, there were some hiccups, but with just over 100 to get, it was a stroll in the park for the MP team. Credit: PTI Photo

As they completed the victory, Pandit was flooded with memories, which he hasn't been able to erase for over two decades despite winning five trophies as a coach. Credit: DH Photo/BH Shivakumar

MP's win once again proved that the Ranji Trophy is often won by sides that don't have too many superstars with the ambition or wherewithal to play top-flight cricket. Credit: DH Photo/BH Shivakumar

In MP, there was no Avesh Khan or Venkatesh Iyer and had only an emerging potential star in Patidar, yet they followed Pandit's 'Gurukul' style of 'My Way or HighWay' coaching philosophy to emerge triumphant. Credit: PTI Photo

Since 2010, the Ranji Trophy, barring Karnataka's dominance for a few seasons and Mumbai winning it once, has been won by teams like Rajasthan (twice), Vidarbha (twice), Saurashtra (once), and Madhya Pradesh, who would never be in contention in the past. Credit: DH Photo/BH Shivakumar