In a thrilling opener to the Ranji Trophy 2025 Group D campaign, Mumbai secured a hard-fought 35-run victory over hosts Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, thanks to left-arm spinner Shams Mulani's match-defining seven-wicket haul. Mulani, who had earlier contributed a gritty 91 in Mumbai's first innings, dismantled the home side's batting lineup on a pitch favouring slow bowlers, restricting them to 207 while chasing a target of 243. This all-round masterclass—his 17th five-wicket haul in first-class cricket—earned Mumbai six vital points and reaffirmed their status as defending champions in India's premier domestic red-ball competition, which kicked off amid renewed enthusiasm post the IPL frenzy.

Jammu and Kashmir started the final day optimistically, needing 222 runs for an unlikely win after Mumbai declared their second innings at 190/6 for a total lead of 242. Opener Qamran Iqbal's resolute 56, coupled with a 53-run partnership alongside skipper Paras Dogra (29), pushed the scoreboard to 84/2 and sparked brief hopes of an upset in front of a partisan crowd at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium. However, Mulani struck decisively, breaching Dogra's defence to ignite a collapse.

Off-spinner Tanush Kotian compounded the misery by snaffling a return catch from IPL star Abdul Samad (15), leaving the hosts reeling. Iqbal's dismissal as Mulani's third scalp reduced Jammu and Kashmir to 131/6, and the portly left-armer's relentless accuracy—finishing with 7/46 in 64.4 overs—ensured no recovery, bundling them out and handing Mumbai a morale-boosting start in their quest for a 42nd title.

Mulani's heroics were a testament to Mumbai's depth in spin bowling, honed on turning tracks that have historically suited their domestic setup. The 27-year-old, often overshadowed by batting giants like Sarfaraz Khan, has emerged as a reliable all-rounder, blending classical orthodox spin with tactical nous. His performance not only neutralised Jammu and Kashmir's middle order but also highlighted the Ranji Trophy's role in nurturing talent for India's Test squad, especially with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy looming. For the hosts, the defeat exposes vulnerabilities in their batting against quality spin, a concern as they aim to build on recent domestic strides under the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)'s revamped format featuring equal points for first-innings leads.

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In a concurrent Elite Group match in Hyderabad, Delhi pocketed three points against the hosts after enforcing a first-innings lead, with skipper Ayush Badoni's 6/73 and Arpit Rana's 3/23 wrapping up the innings at 411. Resuming at 400/7, Hyderabad lost their last three wickets in under 30 minutes, handing Delhi a 118-run advantage. In their second dig, Delhi reached 138/3 in 42 overs before rain interrupted play, with opener Sanat Sangwan unbeaten on 56. Badoni's leadership—marked by shrewd field placements—signalled Delhi's intent to rebound from last season's inconsistencies.

As the tournament unfolds across 38 teams in five groups, these early results set the stage for intense rivalries, with Mumbai's spin wizardry and Delhi's resilience underscoring the Ranji's enduring appeal in fostering grassroots excellence amid India's cricketing revolution.

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