38 and counting

It's the killer instinct that separates Mumbai from the others at the Ranji Trophy, which the team won yet again

ON A WINNING SPREE: The Mumbai cricket team celebrates after winning the Ranji Trophy. They defeated Uttar Pradesh in the finals in Hyderabad yesterday.

It's the killer instinct that separates Mumbai from the others at the Ranji Trophy, which the team won yet again

By winning the Ranji Trophy for the 38th time, Mumbai has proved once again that they are the superpower in the domestic arena. The team mauled the inexperienced Uttar Pradesh squad with a clinical performance in the finals held at Hyderabad.

What is even more heartening is that the rising stars of Indian cricket played a vital role in the victory.
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Rohit Sharma was simply fantastic and scored a century in each innings of the finals. In the first innings, he resurrected the team's position after the fall of early wickets with a cautious knock.

In the second innings, he was belligerent and displayed a wide range of strokes. While comparing him to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar is a tad too much, he certainly deserves a permanent spot in the national side.
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Ajinkya Rahane has been prolific throughout the season and his performance augurs well for the future of Mumbai cricket. Abhishek Nayar and Dhaval Kulkarni look promising as well. Vinayak Samant may be the oldest member of the squad, but he proved that age is only a number and blended beautifully in the team.

The selectors of the national side should not waste any time in grooming these young cricketers.

Experience counts
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Despite the eye-catching performances of young players, one cannot ignore the senior players who led from the front in the Ranji Trophy.

Zaheer Khan bamboozled the batsmen with his fiery spells and gave no chance whatsoever to the opposition. His seven-wicket haul ensured that there was no upset in the tournament.

Wasim Jaffer not only captained the team brilliantly throughout the season, but also shone with the bat. He has done his chances of making a comeback into the Indian team no harm by being the leading run-scorer this season.

And how can one forget Sachin Tendulkar? The greatest batsman in the world showed his commitment by opting to play for the state despite a hectic international schedule. He showed why he is the best by defying high temperature in the semi-finals and scoring a scintillating hundred. His presence was inspiring for everyone else.

Mumbai's victory also indicates that the other teams have a lot of catching up to do. It's the attitude that separates Mumbai from the others and I believe, Mumbai will continue to dominate the domestic circuit for many more years to come.