Irani Cup 2024: Shreyas Iyer expresses ‘amazing feeling’ as Mumbai ends ‘long wait’ for title

Lucknow: Mumbai ended a 27-year wait and lifted the 2024 Irani Cup on the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Saturday. Following the victory, Mumbai and India middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer took to social media to well-known the victory.

“Been a chronic, long wait Mumbai (27 years), but we got our hands on the prize. The feeling is amazing in the group, we’re proud beyond words! Congrats to everyone on winning the Irani Cup,” read a post by Iyer on X (formerly called Twitter).

This victory marks Mumbai’s fifteenth Irani Cup title, ending a 27-year look forward to the trophy, their last triumph coming in 1997.

Mumbai’s triumph used to be sealed on the final day of the 5-day clash with Rest of India (RoI), where Tanush Kotian’s sensational maiden first-class century in the 2d innings proved essential. In spite of leading by 121 runs after posting a mammoth 537 in the first innings, Mumbai found themselves in a precarious position at 171 for eight on Friday, with off-spinner Saransh Jain tearing all through the lineup.

Prithvi Shaw had offered early resistance with a wonderful Seventy six, but Mumbai’s big name-studded batting order including Ajinkya Rahane (9), Shreyas Iyer (eight), Sarfaraz Khan (17) and Hardik Tamore (7), did not convert starts, putting Rest of India (RoI) back in contention.

Nevertheless, Kotian, coming in as a lower-order batsman, showcased his grit and composure, partnering with Mohit Avasthi for a unparalleled 158-run ninth-wicket stand that steadied Mumbai’s ship.

Kotian’s unbeaten 114, along with Avasthi’s 1/2 of-century, allowed Mumbai to extend their result in a formidable 450 runs. After Avasthi reached his fifty towards the end of the 2d session, both teams shook hands, confirming the draw and thus handing the Ranji Trophy winners the coveted Irani Cup.