Mumbai kicked off their Ranji Trophy campaign with a thrilling 35-run victory against Jammu & Kashmir at the Sher E Kashmir Stadium on Saturday, October 18, 2025. The architects of this triumph were none other than Mumbai’s spin maestro, Shams Mulani, who delivered an exceptional seven-wicket haul.
J&K, starting the fourth and final day at a precarious 21 for one, were tasked with chasing 243 runs for victory. However, Mumbai’s bowlers, led by Mulani, ensured they were ultimately dismissed for 207. This win marks Mumbai’s first against J&K in their last three encounters.
The day saw an intense battle unfold. J&K openers Qamran Iqbal and Paras Dogra built a crucial 53-run partnership for the third wicket, briefly putting Mumbai under pressure. Mumbai captain Shardul Thakur then smartly introduced his spin duo, Mulani and Tanush Kotian, which immediately shifted the momentum.
A moment of high drama occurred in the 26th over when Qamran was initially given out for obstructing the field after using his hand to stop Sarfaraz Khan’s throw. While Abdul Samad was preparing to bat, Qamran passionately argued his innocence with the umpires. Mumbai eventually withdrew their appeal, allowing him to continue. However, the reprieve was short-lived. In the very next over, Mulani showcased his brilliance, spinning a delivery past Dogra’s forward defence to rattle the stumps. Before lunch, Kotian and Mulani claimed the wickets of Samad and Kanhaiya Wadhawan respectively, leaving J&K struggling at 127 for five after 41 overs.
The second session brought more misery for J&K as Mulani continued his destructive spell. Early after the break, he struck again, replicating Dogra’s dismissal by spinning one past Qamran’s bat to hit the woodwork. The 28-year-old left-arm spinner then secured his fifth wicket when Abid Mushtaq mistimed a shot to Sarfaraz at mid-wicket. On the very next ball, Yudhvir Singh was clean bowled, completing a sensational performance.
Despite a defiant 30-run last-wicket partnership between Auqib Nabi, who hit two sixes, and Umar Nazir, Mulani fittingly sealed the tense victory by trapping Nazir leg-before-wicket.
Match Summary:
Mumbai — 1st innings: 386.
J&K — 1st innings: 325.
Mumbai — 2nd innings: 181.
J&K — 2nd innings (Target 243): Qamran Iqbal b Mulani 56, Shubham Khajuria lbw b Deshpande 0, Musaif Ajaz lbw b Thakur 10, Paras Dogra b Mulani 29, Abdul Samad c&b Kotian 15, Kanhaiya Wadhawan b Mulani 5, Sahil Lotra b Mulani 29, Abid Mushtaq c Sarfaraz b Mulani 18, Auqib Nabi (not out) 37, Yudhvir Singh b Mulani, Umar Nazir lbw b Mulani 7; Extras (w-1): 1
Total (in 64.4 overs): 207.
Fall of wicket: 1-4, 2-31, 3-84, 4-103, 5-110, 6-131, 7-156, 8-177, 9-177.
Mumbai bowling: Thakur 9-1-31-1, Deshpande 15-2-56-1, Umair 3-0-12-0, Kotian 17-2-62-1, Mulani 20.4-4-46-7.