Mumbai v ROI - Irani Trophy 2003

[Gambit]

Does anyone remember this game? This was played right before one of best seasons got underway (away to OZ and Pak). Both sides featured cricketers from our senior team. Highlights of the game were SRT's batting in both innings, Zaheer's outstanding bowling and Dravid-Laxy p'ship. ROI had a formidable attack in Zaheer,Kumble,Balaji and Bhajji. Though Mumbai's attack wasn't as strong, they fought brilliantly in the game. This was probably the last time all our frontline players played against each other in a Ranji game. Link

[Mr. Wicket]

This was probably the last time all our frontline players played against each other in a Ranji game.

Technically, that was an Irani game. :P The last time we had a lot of frontline guys against each other in a Ranji game was the Ranji final lat season, when Bombay thrashed Bengal with Tendulkar, Jaffer, Ganguly and Zaheer all starring. In hindsight, no surprise Bombay lost that game with such a batting lineup. All bits and pieces with Agarkar, Bahutule, Powar and Morris expected to add ballast down the order and bowling, and very few delivering. Tendulkar and Jaffer were the only two reliable bats in the side back then, Mane was still inconsistent, Shetty was on his way out and Kambli was again struggling for runs IIRC. I can't remember what hit Muzumdar, but his loss was crucial and took away a lot of the middle order's backbone. BTW, remember watching highlights of the Dravid/Laxman partnership here - this was the innings that kickstarted Laxman's form spree for the season, with a glut of runs following in the home series in NZ and then the tour to Australia where he played as well as I've ever seen him bat. He and Dravid just took apart Powar in the second innings after the Fat Man had really impressed in the first dig and was being talked up as a possible spinner for the ODI tri-series ahead. [bombay's batting looks far better these days, if a bit top heavy. Rahane, Kukreja, Jaffer, Amol, Nayar and someone from Mane, Indulkar, Thakkar, Hiken and Prashant Naik blows most of that lineup away, bar SRT. Bowling's gotten worse though.]

[Chandan]

I remember this game very well. How Dravid handled powar in the second inning was really fascinating to see. The way ROI had been shot for just 204 runs in the first innings, one could never get an idea about what was to follow in Australia. And Zaheer was bowling really well then. The way he got out of the Australian tour was hear breaking. Anyway, we found Pathan there. This time we've found Ishant. So things happen for good only.

[Mr. Wicket]

I also wonder what Bombay thought not picking Nilesh for this match, and going with Robin Morris. Morris IMO is probably among the worst players to wear the Bombay cap in the last several years.

[Gambit]

I remember this game very well. How Dravid handled powar in the second inning was really fascinating to see. The way ROI had been shot for just 204 runs in the first innings, one could never get an idea about what was to follow in Australia. And Zaheer was bowling really well then. The way he got out of the Australian tour was hear breaking. Anyway, we found Pathan there. This time we've found Ishant. So things happen for good only.

Everything leading to the Australian tour signalled a 4-0 thrashing. We were unable to beat NZ in a single test in the 2 test series(they made 600+ at Mohali with 4 centurions) and Australia beat us easily in the TVS Cup. And selectors went against the public and experts vote and didn't pick Murali Kartik, the one bowler who troubled Aus in the TVS Cup, for the Australia tour(he was called later after HS got injured).