Credit: BCCI
In the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 semi-final match between Mumbai and Vidarbha at the VCA Stadium, Shivam Dube looked fierce with the ball and clinched a fifer after splurging 49 runs in his 11.5 overs. In the crucial knockout game, Vidarbha skipper Akshay Wadkar won the toss and elected to bat first. Riding on Dhruv Shorey’s 74 and Danish Malewar’s 79, Vidarbha posted 383 runs on the board. Dube started his attack with Parth Rekhade’s wicket. Among his five hunts, the crucial scalp of Karun Nair was also included. After removing both batters, Dube got rid of tailenders to end Vidarbha’s innings.
Vidarbha has dominated the game so far with both bat and ball. The home side displayed diligence and perseverance to post the heavy total on the board. Following the excellent work of Shorey and Malewar, Yash Rathod’s 54 and Nair’s 45 also played a vital role in helping Vidarbha deliver a challenging total to Mumbai. As of 12:57 AM on February 18, Mumbai have scored 29 runs and lost Ayush Mhatre early while following the score. Pacer Darshan Nalkande stepped up for the home team and got the better of Mhatre, who could accumulate only nine runs from his bat.
After Mhatre’s early departure, Akash Anand and Siddhesh Lad, who are in the middle currently, will have to stabilise the defending champions’ innings to keep them relevant in the contest. Both batters failed to be at their best against Haryana in the quarter-final match at the iconic Eden Gardens. This time, they have the opportunity to hold their nerves and deliver impactful innings to their side in the crunch situation.
Ajinkya Rahane will be expected to shine again
Ajinkya Rahane, who is looking to make a comeback in India’s Test squad, will look to show nerves of steel again. Following the massive score, he will strive to be effective with his bat and leadership again. In his last game in Kolkata, the veteran took Haryana’s bowling attack to the cleaners and hit a scintillating ton.
Dube, who bagged a fifer, will look to be efficient with the bat as well. In the upcoming weeks, the all-rounder will don the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) jersey for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. The 31-year-old was one of the five retained players of the Super Kings.
