Ranji Trophy: Tanush Kotian, Tushar Deshpande Slam Centuries, Break First-Class Records

Mumbai all-rounder Tanush Kotian and pacer Tushar Deshpande stole the show on the fifth day of the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 quarter-final against Baroda at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy, BKC in Mumbai. They slammed centuries each, etching their names in the record books.

Mumbai seemed to be in control of the match, with nine down for 337 runs on the board. They had a lead of 373 runs heading into the final day of the match. Tanush Kotian and Tushar Deshpande teamed up for the last-wicket stand for Mumbai in the second innings. They put on 232 runs partnership, taking Mumbai to a mammoth 569.

Tushar Deshpande slammed 123 runs from 129 deliveries, with ten boundaries and eight sixes. Meanwhile, Tanush remained unbeaten on 120 runs, with ten boundaries and four sixes. This was the maiden first-class century for both the players. They became the second No. 10 and No. 11 pair in First-Class history to record centuries in the same innings. The only other pair to achieve the feat were Chandu Sarwate and Shute Banerjee (v Surrey, 1946).

Only the 2nd time in the history of first-class cricket, both No.10 and No.11 scored hundreds!

Indians vs Surrey, 1946
Chandu Sarwate 124*
Shute Banerjee 121

Mumbai vs Baroda, 2024
Tanush Kotian 120*
Tushar Deshpande 123#RanjiTrophy #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/uLQS6xc7mr

— Indian Domestic Cricket Forum – IDCF (@IDCForum) February 27, 2024

This was also only the third instance an Indian pair putting on 200-plus stand for the last wicket. Sarwate and Banerjee top the record with a 249-run stand in first-class cricket. The record in Ranji Trophy lies with Ajay Sharma and Maninder Singh when they put on a 233-run partnership against Bombay in the 1991-92 semifinal at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Meanwhile, Tushar Deshpande also became the third Indian batter to score a First-Class hundred while batting at no. 11. He is now at the top of the list registering the highest FC score by an Indian number 11 batter.

Mumbai to take on Tamil Nadu in Ranji Trophy 2023-24 semi-final

Mumbai sailed through to the semi-finals of the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy season as they took the first-innings lead in a draw match against Baroda at BKC in Mumbai. Batting first, Mumbai put on 384 runs, with Musheer Khan slamming a double century. In response, Baroda seemed to be getting control of the game as Vishnu Solanki and Shashwat Rawat slammed centuries each. However, they suffered a collapse after Shashwat’s dismissal and handed Mumbai the first-innings lead. Shams Mulani took a four-wicket haul in the innings.

The Ajinkya Rahane-led team put on 569 runs, taking the lead to 605. Hardik Tamore, who was promoted to open the innings, slammed a brilliant century. Meanwhile, Prithvi Shaw and Shams Mulani also contributed valuable runs. However, it was the partnership between Tanush Kotian and Tushar Deshpande that sealed the match for Mumbai to a great extent. Baroda managed 121 runs for three wickets before the players decided to shake hands and call off the game.