Mumbai Duo Tanush Kotian and Tushar Deshpande Rewrite Record Books in Ranji Trophy Quarterfinal
In a remarkable display of batting resilience, Mumbai’s Tanush Kotian and Tushar Deshpande etched their names into the history books during the final day of their second Ranji Trophy quarterfinal clash against Baroda at Mumbai.
Both players, sons of club cricketers, initially started their careers as batsmen before establishing themselves primarily as bowlers. However, on this occasion, their batting prowess came to the forefront, rewriting records at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy.
Mumbai were 337/9 by the end of day 4 and it looked like in matter of few overs, they will be bowled out. However, both Deshpande and Kotian added 42 runs for the last wicket on Day 4.
When play resumed on day 5, Kotian and Deshpande added a further 190 runs in just 30 overs, forming a monumental 232-run stand. This feat not only secured Mumbai’s strong position in the match but also propelled the duo into the record books.
They became only the second pair in the history of the prestigious Ranji Trophy, and just the second in all of First-Class cricket, to score centuries while batting at No. 10 and No. 11, respectively.
Deshpande, batting at No. 11, finished with a well-compiled 123 runs off 129 deliveries, while Kotian, at No. 10, remained unbeaten on 120 runs from 129 balls. Both players reached their maiden First-Class centuries in the process.
This historic partnership surpassed Deshpande’s previous record of the highest First-Class score by an Indian No. 11 batsman (103). It also stands as the third-highest last-wicket stand by an Indian pair in First-Class cricket and the second-highest in Ranji Trophy history.
The previous record-holders for a No. 10 and No. 11 partnership scoring centuries in the same innings were Indian players Chandu Sarwate and Shute Banerjee, who achieved the feat back in 1946 while playing for India against Surrey.
With this remarkable partnership, Kotian and Deshpande not only secured a dominant position for Mumbai but also showcased their exceptional batting talent, rewriting records and etching their names in the annals of Indian cricket history.
