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In a monumental moment during the Ranji Trophy 2024 quarterfinal clash against Baroda on February 27, the Mumbai duo of Tanush Kotian and Tushar Deshpande etched their names in cric💟keting hist🦄ory. They became the first No. 10-11 pair in the overall history of the Ranji Trophy to score centuries.
A rare occurrence in First-Class cricket: Last two batters scored hundreds
This remarkable achievement is only the second occurrence in the annals of first-class cricket, with the last two batters in a lineup scoring hundreds. The previous instance dates back to 1946 when Chandu Sarwate (124) and Shute Banerjee (121) accomplished this rare feat for India against Surrey at The Oval.
Heroic contributions from both batters for Mumbai
In a display of extraordinary resilience and skill, No. 10 batter Kotian showcased his prowess by remaining unbeaten with a score of 120. On the other end, Deshpande, batting at No. 11, played a brilliant innings and was the last wicket to fall, amass🌜ing 123 runs.
Their remarkable partnership propelled Mumbai’s second innings total from 337/ 9 to a commanding 569 all out. Mumbai’s monumental effort set a daunting target of 606 runs for Baroda which the side failed to conquered on the last day as the match ended on a draw with Baroda score of 121/3.
Dazzling display of batting prowess
Kotian and Deshpande, both prolific with the bat, struck 10 fours each during their innings. Kotian achieved his century first off 115 balls, while Deshpande reached the three-figure mark in 112 deliveries. Both batters faced 129 balls, exhibiting resilience and determination. Notably, Deshpande’s aggressive approach saw him hitting an impressive 8 sixes, overshadowing Kotian’s 4.
Historic partnership comes to an end
The monumental partnership between Kotian and Deshpande met its conclusion when Deshpande, after a magnificent innings, was caught by Lukman Meriwala off the bowling of Ninad Rathwa. This extraordinary 232-run stand between Kotian and Deshpande now stands as the second-highest 10th-wi♕cket partnership in the storied histo𓆏ry of the Ranji Trophy.
Also READ: 🃏Fans in awe as Sarfaraz Khan’s brother Musheer smashes stellar double c🐲entury for Mumbai in Ranji Trophy 2024 Quarterfinals
Falling just short of the record: Mumbai duo’s remarkable stand
Despite their heroics, Kotian and Deshpande fell agonizingly short of equaling the 233-run record set by Ajay Sharma and Maninder Singh. The Delhi duo achieved this historic feat during the 1991-92 Ranji season in a semifinal match against Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium. Sharma’s outstanding knock of 259* and Singh’s contribution of 78 propelled Delhi to victory, securing the game through the first-innings lead.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Is this t🅷he first time that a number 10 and 11 batter have made 100 ‘s in an i🐈nnings?
Tushar Deshpande and Tanush K🌺otian have just cracked 100s for Mu🐎mbai in the Ranji Quarters against Baroda.
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99)
Perfect Replacement if Conwaꦬy doesn’t gets back to fitness 💖for CSK 😂 Tushar and Ruturaj 🫡
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath)
Tanush Kotian and Tushar Deshpande script history for Mumbai, becoming only the 2nd No. 10 and No. 11 pair in ❀First-Class cricket to record centuries in the same innings. The only other pair to achieve the feat was Chandu Sarwate and Shute Banerjee (v Surrey, 1946)!
— Lalith Kalidas (@lal__kal)
No.10 and No.11 scored a century for the first time in 78 years in First Class cricket history…!!! 🤯
– Tanush Kotian and Tushar Deshpande are part of the history.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)
This is first time in Ranji trophy history number 10 and 11 both scored century.
Most important thing, they both played similar number of balls and scored similar number of Fours.
Tanush Kotian and Tushar Deshpande registered their 🥂name in history book.— Satya Prakash (@Satya_Prakash08)
Mumbai's No 10 Tanush Kotian (right) and No 11 Tushar Deshpande after both hit centuries -the first time it has happened in Ranji 🏆 They shared a 232-run stand for the 10th wicket vs Baroda on 5th and final day, missing out on the Ranji record by 2 runs
— Gaurav Gupta (@toi_gauravG)
Congrats to Mumbai last wicket pair of Tushar Kotian and Tushar Deshpande, only 2nd No. 10, 11 to both score 1💎00s in FC history. 1st was Chandu Sarwate, Shute ♐Bannerjee v Surrey on 1946 tour
— Gulu Ezekiel (@gulu1959)
Rare occurrence after 78 years! 🙌🏏
Tanush Kotian and Tushar Deshpande made history in First Class cricket,
scoring ce𒅌nturies for No.10 and No.11 for the first time in 78 years! 🏏🔥 ꦜ— VARUN BHASIN 🇮🇳 (@varunbhasinji)
Mumbai's No.10 & 11 – Tanush Kotian & Tushar Deshpande have both hit tons v Baroda in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal.
The only other instance I can recall where No.10 & 11 hit tons in FC cricket – Chandu Sarwate & Shute Banerjee for India v Surrey at The Oval in 1946
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang)
The last wicket Partnership is 2𒅌32 runs for the Mumbai team in the Ranji QF match against Baroda.
Tanush Kotian (120*) and Tushar Deshpande (123).
— Farrago Abdullah Parody (@abdullah_0mar)
Fantastic from Tanush Kotian and Tusharℱ..the last wicket batting for so long is so rare
— Anuj Nitin Prabhu (@APTalksCricket)
Hundreds from No.10 (Tanush Kotian) and No🌄.11 (Tushar Deshpande) from Mumbai!!
Has this happened before in FC cricket?
— Ajinkya Dhamdhere (@ajinkyasd)
