Full credit to Mumbai for setting the game up despite falling 162 behind in the first innings. They raced away through most of their second innings, before crumbling at the end. But kudos to MP, whose team performance - with mostly unheard of names yet with a veteran coach - helped them create history. That's all from us this season too. Hope you enjoyed the final's coverage. Thanks for your company, and goodbye from Sreshth, Sudeep, Himanshu and Ashish!
And with that, Shrivastava lifts the Ranji Trophy with a glee. He then hands it over to his side, who can't wait to have it while being clicked.
Aditya Shrivastava, the winning MP captain: "I am completely ecstatic. It has been a generation kind of a time that has gone by and we have won the Ranji Trophy for the first time. It's a moment of a lifetime for me. The emotions are really deep in the squad. They are trying to laugh it out loud but we are extremely emotional. [Takeaways from the season and learnings from coach] This has been my first year as captain, and all about leadership I have learned is from Chandrakant sir. I would like to continue this. [On his form] I spoke in the press conference too that the stage is going to play on our mind but we have to stick to our process because the process has got use here and will keep us here. [On the team] It's a very good group coming through. Me, Rajat and Shubham, all of us started playing Ranji Trophy around 2013-14 but now the new boys are coming up. Even Ishwar Pandey was part of our squad in the league stage; unfortunately he got injured. Overall we are making a good group that can consistently play good cricket. Pressure always will be there. Doing it once has not been easy and it will be tougher doing it again."
Here comes Prithvi Shaw, Mumbai's captain: [On the positives] "The way boys have played throughout the series was unbelievable. A lot of youngsters in our team, a lot of new guys came in, and they showed character. That is what Mumbai cricket is all about. Everyday can't be your day and I think the MP guys batted well and played well. We just have to learn from this and go forward. [On his performance] I could have batter for longer period of time, but as I used to say, cricket is something that can't go up all the time. The graph goes up and down. May be not this year, but I will come back stronger next year. If you see the scorecard, you can see the talent they [Mumbai players] have - Sarfaraz, Mulani, Parkar, Armaan Jaffer - they have done an excellent job over here and are the future of Mumbai cricket. Really looking forward to playing more with them and was a really proud moment captaining Mumbai. [On the head coach Amol Muzumdar] He has been friendly, some times! We are really enjoying playing under Amol Sir. He is really calm. You have to be tough when you have youngsters but we all really enjoy his company."
Sarfaraz Khan is the Player of the Series for his 982 runs this season: "Credit to my abbu who is standing there. I am just trying my best to stay at the wicket, give myself time and score runs. I try to play as many matches as possible and stay on the ground and prepare in the same way. I have been playing day's cricket since childhood. I am used to it and know when to switch gears. It's become a habit."
Shubham Sharma is the Player of the Match: "The entire team is emotional [Chandrakant Pandit] Sir is crying the most. This is the first time that we have won Ranji Trophy, so everyone is happy and emotional. [Lessons learnt] 100% I have learned a lot. Sir spoke to me after my dismissal in the first innings. He told me to not take things lightly. He kept us tight and focused. [On his shoulder injury] I took painkillers, so it got a bit easy. The captain was at fault there. [608 runs in the series and 146 runs in the match] I was looking to give my best in every game, but fortunately, the best came in the final.
Time for the presentations
Alok Gupta: "Was there to witness the hears break 23 years ago and now finally Happiness Par Excellence, have been waiting for it since our childhood, Chandu Bhai the magical...."
George: "So much more satisfying to win the title with an outright win rather than just the first innings lead. Congratulations MP! "
WV Raman speaks to Chandrakant Pandit, the man of the moment: "It was a great memory. I left if 23 years back on the same ground. With God's blessings, we came back here. I missed out when I was captain. Aditya Shrivastava' has done it. [On taking up the MP job] I was always look for a challenging job. There are lots of youngsters in the team. I want to develop a cricketing culture in that state. I used to play for MP, and so I knew the culture. When the offer to coach came, I couldn't give it up. Sometimes you feel there is talent, but they need to develop the cricketing culture. Aditya has been an outstanding captain. Whatever has been discussed, he has never failed to implement that on the ground. He has been a fantastic captain [despite a low batting form], and he was doing a fantastic job. I always had confidence in him. For the time being, it is on the top of the pile [out of his six titles as coach]. I owed a trophy to MP, which I missed out [in 1998-99].
Amit Shrivastav: "MP wala from Australia cheering on for our maiden title"
Junaid Anwar: "Two decades ago it was a heartbreak for MP,this victory will be cherished after even two decades,they outplayed Mumbai in every department."
2:51pm Chandrakant Pandit, the head coach of MP is all smiles. You won't see that too often. The MP team get into a huddle, with the coach leading the celebrations. He is now being lifted on the shoulders by the players. He is revered by all the boys. The two teams now shake hands. A lovely moment being seen now, Pandit lines up the entire team in a single line and they bow down to the camera. The players are now taking a lap of honour thanking the crowd.
Mind games as Sarfaraz pulls out of his run-up. A wry smile on his face.
