Prithvi Shaw, the Indian batsman, found himself unable to leave the desired mark in the ongoing final of the Ranji Trophy 2023-24. The high-stakes clash between Mumbai and Vidarbha unfolded at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. Despite the anticipation surrounding Shaw’s performance, he fell short of expectations on this crucial stage.

Mumbai appeared to hold the upper hand in the Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha. Following their innings where they set a target of 224 runs, Mumbai swiftly dismissed the opposition for a mere 105 runs. This commanding performance secured them a substantial lead of over 100 runs in the first innings, providing a strong foundation for the remainder of the match.

Shaw’s Disappointment: Vidarbha’s Revival in Ranji Final

However, the second innings took an unexpected turn. While Mumbai was expected to capitalize on their advantage and play aggressively, Vidarbha’s bowlers emerged as a formidable force. Particularly with the new ball, they troubled Mumbai’s batters, making scoring difficult and putting Mumbai’s hopes of a dominant performance in jeopardy.

Prithvi Shaw’s innings, in particular, faced a premature end due to the brilliance of Vidarbha’s Yash Thakur. Thakur delivered a sensational ball clocking 133.4kph, which skillfully seamed in and shattered Shaw’s defenses. Shaw’s dismissal, after managing just 11 runs off 18 balls, came as a significant blow to Mumbai, leaving them in a precarious position early in their innings.

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Despite Shaw’s earlier promise showcased in the first innings, where he scored a respectable 46 runs off 63 balls, his impact ultimately proved limited. Though he displayed flashes of brilliance with elegant strokes, Shaw failed to deliver the substantial contribution his team needed in such a crucial match.

Further exacerbating Mumbai’s woes, Harsh Dubey contributed to Vidarbha’s dominance by dismissing Bhupen Lalwani. This left Mumbai reeling at 34/2, putting immense pressure on the remaining batters, especially skipper Ajinkya Rahane and Musheer Khan, who now shoulder the responsibility of steering their team to a formidable total among a challenging situation.