Mumbai has added another jewel to their cricketing crown, with their trophy cabinet nearing capacity. In the thrilling final of the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, they secured a five-wicket victory over Madhya Pradesh, chasing down 175 runs with 13 balls to spare. Before the winning six was hit, Suryansh Shedge was already celebrating, punching the air in triumph. His consistent performances in recent matches, including a crucial knock in the final, have established him as a star to watch.
Shedge delivered an unbeaten 36 off just 15 balls, sharing an explosive 51-run stand in 19 balls with Atharva Ankolekar. Ankolekar sealed the game with a towering six, but it was Shedge’s brilliant hitting—three fours and three sixes—that stole the show. One of his sixes, a nonchalant swipe off Venkatesh Iyer in the 17th over, showcased shades of Suryakumar Yadav’s flair. Shedge has now notched unbeaten scores of 30* (8 balls), 36* (12), and 36* (15) in three of his last four T20 outings, proving his mettle in crunch situations.
The foundation for Mumbai’s chase was laid by Suryakumar Yadav and Ajinkya Rahane. Rahane, the tournament’s leading run-scorer, and Suryakumar steadied the innings after an early setback at 47 for 2 in the fifth over. The duo added 52 for the third wicket, though Rahane had a stroke of luck when a leading edge narrowly eluded Rajat Patidar’s grasp in the powerplay.
With 110 needed from 69 balls, Suryakumar shifted gears, dispatching Rahul Batham for a four and a six. Rahane followed suit in the next over, reverse-sweeping Kumar Kartikeya for boundaries. However, Venkatesh Iyer removed Rahane for 37 in the 12th over. Suryakumar continued the assault with two towering sixes off Batham but fell for 48. At that stage, Mumbai required 46 runs from 32 balls, and the match was delicately poised. Shedge and Ankolekar, however, ensured there were no further hiccups, taking Mumbai to their second Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title.
Earlier, Madhya Pradesh’s skipper Rajat Patidar played a lone hand with an unbeaten 81 off 40 balls, smashing six fours and six sixes. At 86 for 5 in the 13th over, MP seemed down and out, but Patidar single-handedly carried the team, adding 80 runs in the last seven overs. His fearless hitting thrilled the crowd at Chinnaswamy Stadium, featuring an array of strokes—from powerful pulls to graceful lofted drives.
Despite Patidar’s heroics, his efforts couldn’t lift Madhya Pradesh to victory. Mumbai’s all-around performance proved too strong, capping off another remarkable campaign with a well-deserved win.