15 March,2021 07:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh Mayure
Mumbai players celebrate with the Vijay Hazare trophy after their win over Uttar Pradesh in the final at New Delhi yesterday. Pic/BCCI
Four-time champions Mumbai laid their hands on the Vijay Hazare after a gap of three years as they beat Uttar Pradesh in New Delhi by six wickets on Sunday.
The Mumbai team, which won the title in 2018, were guided again by experienced wicketkeeper-batsman Aditya Tare.
The former Mumbai skipper claimed the player of the match award for his fighting 118 not out. In 2018 against Gautam Gambhir's Delhi, he scored 71 in a low-scoring game.
On Sunday, responding to UP's 312 for four in 50 overs, Tare top-scored for Mumbai to achieve the target in the 42nd over.
Shaw came to the fore yet again like he has done throughout the tournament. He put on 89 runs for the opening wicket with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored 29 off 30 balls.
Tare entered the scene to prove effective, efficient and excellent.
"I am someone who always tries to make myself count in big games against bigger associations or in finals or semi-finals. I always look forward and get excited to play a role in winning the trophy. I am glad that I could do that today [Sunday]," Tare told mid-day from New Delhi.
Elaborating on his fighting knock, Tare said: "I am glad to be batting at the top of the order. I am very grateful that I got opportunities last year to open the innings and this year, as everyone was there - Shreyas, Suryakumar [Yadav], I was batting down the order, but once they left [for national duty], I thought about the confidence and faith that the coaching staff and the captain had on me to bat at No. 3. I was very happy and excited to do that job," said Tare.
Tare hailed Shaw for his leadership qualities and coach Ramesh Powar for creating good vibes in the team.
"As a leader, Prithvi was brilliant. He took responsibility and single-handedly won us games in the quarter-finals and semi-finals. The amount of effort that he puts into the team and to his batting is brilliant.
"Credit should go to coach Ramesh Powar as well for the way he handled all the players. He played a major role in reviving this team particularly in this tournament. He didn't have much time. He did a lot of work individually, talking to lots of guys, creating a good atmosphere and giving responsibility to all players. He came in and set things right for us and gave us good direction, something that we needed," added Tare.
Earlier, riding on opener Madhav Kaushik's unbeaten 158 off 156 balls (15x4, 4x6), UP posted 312-4. Mumbai off-spinner Tanush Kotian claimed 2-54.
"Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made frm something they hv deep inside them - a desire a dream a vision. They have to hv d skill & will. But the will must be stronger than the skill" - Muhammad Ali. This is wht we set out to do as a Team & this victory is for #Mumbai," tweeted Shaw.
Shaw, who scored 827 runs in eight Vijay Hazare Trophy games this year, got out to his 2018 India U-19 World Cup-winning teammate pacer Shivam Mavi while trying to pull a short-pitched delivery over the deep square leg fence. But it landed in substitute fielder Sameer Rizvi's hands.
