Deshpande and Kotian scored centuries to defeat Baroda
Mumbai advanced to the Ranji semi-finals after Baroda crumbled in the third innings of a closely contested match.
The match ended in a draw, with Mumbai progressing on the basis of their first innings lead. Their next opponent is Tamil Nadu, who have made their first semi-final appearance since 2016-17.
Mumbai scored 384 runs, and Baroda mounted a serious challenge, progressing to 239 for 2 with Vishnu Solanki and Shashwat Rawat hitting centuries. However, just as a first-innings lead was looming, Baroda collapsed as Mumbai's spinners took control.
Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, and Musheer Khan, who scored an unbeaten double-century in the first innings, took seven wickets between them as Baroda was bowled out for 348.
Mumbai faced trouble at different stages, even after taking a 36-run lead. At 214 for 5, with the lead still within reach, Baroda had a slim chance of winning. However, they failed to capitalise on it.
From 339 for 9, Tushar Deshpande and Kotian added 232 runs for the tenth wicket, which is the second-highest partnership for the 10th wicket in Ranji Trophy history. This partnership is only behind Ajay Sharma and Maninder Singh's 233-run partnership against Bombay in the 1991-92 semi-final.
Deshpande's 123 runs, surpassing Shute Banerjee's 121 against Surrey in 1946, is the highest by an Indian No. 11 in first-class cricket. Kotian and Deshpande joined Chandu Sarwate (124*) and Banerjee (121) for India against Surrey in 1946 as only the second number 10 and 11 to score 100 in the same first-class innings.
The result was a mere formality as Mumbai scored 569 before being bowled out on the fifth morning. With Baroda at 121 for 3, the captains shook hands after tea.