Former Madhya Pradesh captain Chandrakant Pandit was sobbing pitchside at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium when he lost the 1999 Ranji Trophy Final to Karnataka.
23 years, at the same venue, against a rampant Mumbai team who were aiming for their 42nd title, it was Chandrakant Pandit who was once again in tears- this time, though, happy tears as he coached MP to their maiden Ranji Trophy title.
“It is a great memory that I had left 23 years back (he lost the Ranji Trophy final as MP captain in 1998-99) and it is a blessing that I come back here, and winning this trophy was fabulous. It is emotional because I missed out as captain on the same ground,” Pandit said after MP thrashed Prithvi Shaw’s Mumbai by 6 wickets to claim the 2022 Ranji Trophy under the captaincy of Aditya Shrivastava.
Madhya Pradesh win maiden Ranji title as batters pile on runs
Mumbai had won the toss on Day 1 morning and under cloudy skies decided to bat first. The move didn’t work great as they found themselves 248/6 before Sarfaraz Khan, the Man of the Tournament and who finished the season as the highest scorer with 982 runs, hit a century to take them to a fighting score of 374.
But it was the MP’s batsmen who all but sealed the game in their first innings as three batters – Yash Dubey, Shubham Sharma and Rajat Patidar – notched up centuries helping MP take a 162-run lead by the evening of Day 4. The first innings lead meant MP would win the match if the game ended in a draw.
Hence, Mumbai had to force the issue with the bat in their second innings. They scored runs quickly, at more than 4.5 an over, but also lost wickets regularly while playing attacking shots. Mumbai managed a total of 269 and set 108 to win for MP which they duly did inside two sessions on the fifth day.
Twitter celebrated Madhya Pradesh’s maiden Ranji Trophy win:
𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧. 𝗔. 𝗪𝗜𝗡!
Madhya Pradesh beat Mumbai by 6 wickets & clinch their maiden #RanjiTrophy title
Scorecard
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) June 26, 2022
23 years back a teary-eyed Chandrakant Pandit the captain left Chinnaswamy Stadium after MP lost to Karnataka in the final. In 2022, Pandit the coach guides MP to their maiden Ranji Trophy. What a story. pic.twitter.com/7OmJWNdKCl
— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) June 26, 2022
Congratulations Madhya Pradesh on winning the #RanjiTrophy2022! We’ve witnessed some terrific performances throughout the season. Great efforts by everyone @BCCI for ensuring another successful Ranji season amidst the pandemic. pic.twitter.com/qMxmvUNYZf
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) June 26, 2022
Yashasvi Jaiswal:
Lost U19 WC Final
Lost IPL Final
Lost Ranji Trophy Final
— Manas (@manas__3) June 26, 2022
Chandu bhai, tumhaala maanla
1st Mumbai, then Vidarbha, and now MP, it’s incredible! Best coach when it comes to winning trophies— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 26, 2022
Many congratulations to skipper Aditya Shrivastava, MP team, and support staff 
This is for Chandrakant Pandit, he was in tears when Madhya Pradesh lost in the 1999 Ranji Trophy final as a captain and 23 years later, he won the Ranji Trophy title for his state team as a coach. pic.twitter.com/l9GlEpjGof
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 26, 2022
Many congratulations to Madhya Pradesh on winning the Ranji Trophy.
Great focus and dertermination to beat 41-time champion Mumbai.
MP deserves all the laurels and glory, have some bright talent and this is truly a historic day for them. #RanjiTrophyFinal pic.twitter.com/4YtGEqbOlP— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 26, 2022
Today could be the biggest day in the history of Madhya Pradesh cricket
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) June 26, 2022
Who’s the champion?
Madhya Pradesh #RanjiTrophy pic.twitter.com/qWTIaEbFMs
— Shashank Kishore (@captainshanky) June 26, 2022
Congratulations to the Madhya Pradesh cricket team and to there support staffs on winning there maiden Ranji trophy title. Deservedly Winners. Enjoy the moments guys
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) June 26, 2022
Madhya Pradesh coach Chandra Kant Pandit got emotional when Madhya Pradesh won the Ranji trophy title. pic.twitter.com/6iCrOOpJgT
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) June 26, 2022
Rajat Patidar has had a season to remember as he helped Madhya Pradesh lift its maiden #RanjiTrophy title defeating Mumbai.
Well played, Ra-Pa!
Image courtesy: BCCI#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers pic.twitter.com/YjIveVjGX3
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) June 26, 2022
Madhya Pradesh won their maiden #RanjiTrophy title. It’s been a collective performance from this team throughout the tournament. Beating this powerhouse team – Mumbai in the final is not everyone here would have predicted, but here they are standing near the champions board.
— Prajakta (@18prajakta) June 26, 2022
