Badani ton in vain as Mumbai win Ranji Trophy

Hemang Badani's knock of 109 was in vain as Mumbai comprehensively beat Tamil Nadu by 141 runs to win the Ranji Trophy for a record 35th time. Badani fell shortly after lunch, and with that Tamil Nadu slumped to 235 all out, in pursuit of 377. Sairaj Bahutule (5 for 70) had yet another profitable outing.

Tamil Nadu had their backs to the wall when they began the day on 102 for 3, with Badani on 23 and Badrinath on 12.

Mumbai began aggressively, employing several close catchers. Badrinath (20) was the first to succumb to the pressure, being caught at forward short leg off the bowling of Ramesh Powar in the 11th over of the day.

S Sharath, who has scored consistently for Tamil Nadu for several years now, replaced Badrinath and began confidently. He settled into a good rhythm, leaving the ball well alone, defending with care when necessary. All the experience in the world could not save him, however, when he padded up to Bahutule in the 22nd over of the day. The umpire upheld the loud appeal.

With two wickets falling quickly on the start of the final day, Badani was forced to curb his natural strokemaking instincts. MR Shrinivas proved an ideal foil. The pair added 48 in just over 20 overs. Badani made 37 of those, taking his score on to 83.

DJ Gokulakrishnan, entrusted with the task of supporting Badani, threw his wicket away with a rash stroke. He fell for the oldest trick in the book, sweeping a tossed-up delivery from Bahutule straight down Nishit Shetty's throat at deep backward square.

At 214 for 7, Tamil Nadu were down, and almost out. Badani continued to score relatively freely, using the sweep to great effect. When the time came, he unveiled the reverse-sweep, clattering Bahutule to the third-man fence to reach his ninth first-class century.

As the wickets fell about him, Badani (109, with 10 fours) tried to upset the rhythm of the bowling. He perished in the attempt, lofting Bahutule to Shetty at long-on. Badani's 326-minute vigil at the wicket ended, as did Tamil Nadu's hopes.

D Dhandapani was the last to go, for a duck. Tamil Nadu were all out for 235, handing Mumbai victory by 141 runs.