In a contrast fight, the spiritual Vidarbha face the strong Mumbai.

Huge picture: Home superstars versus domestic workhorses in Vidarbha vs. Mumbai

Does the Ranji Trophy actually serve as the nation's final destination for those who want to use an Indian seal? This query has been brought up frequently in recent months, at least in the wake of the majority of the Test team's biggest selections.

Then again, look at those who have earned the Examine cover at home against England. Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Akash Deep and Devdutt Padikkal- you can claim with faith they have taken the tougher path to the India cover, and are n't over Tournament experiences.

This" tougher way" brings us to Vidarbha, a team comprising underappreciated players who toil away in secrecy most times, searching for business cricket gigs and league cricket stints in the UK during the off- period to assure they are" cricket fit" when the local season comes around. A chance to play in the Ranji Trophy finalized for the first time since 2018- 19 is as big as it can get. For most, it's the most important activity of their profession.

Mumbai, on the other hand, are the beautiful boys of the local picture: 41- time champs, who are now playing in their 48th last. A team that knows how to conquer big moments, one whose DNA has been etched with "unsuccessful season" tag if they do n't win. That's enough stress to bring into a sport.

Most things they do are magnified, whether they like it or not. Even if it's just his initial game on the rebound trail, a magnificent Prithvi Shaw immediately drive earns praise from some legends. Many people are left wondering if Mushier Khan is emulate Sarfaraz, his older brother, in his impressive induction. Shardul Thakur's achievements has all going" Lord fantastic".

Ajinkya Rahane's Test job may have ended badly, but he still has a reputation that will live on when India leads Australia in one of their greatest Test collection victories. His drive to draw through a dreadful run of form- he has made 134 runs in 11 innings this Ranji season- while adeptly leading the team and backing a youthful group to flourish may be legacy defining to, if it culminates in their 42nd title.

In short, the expectation is big. The chatter around them, even bigger.

Vidarbha have never had to content with this pressure. And that is how their entire season of cricket plays out. Take the semi- final against Madhya Pradesh, where they conceded an 82- run lead and then were effectively 79 for 5 in the second innings, before Yash Rathod and Akshay Wadkar, the captain, led a stunning turnaround with a 158- run sixth- wicket stand that set MP a target of 321.

A relatively small and concentrated talent pool has been a benefit, in contrast to Mumbai. Due to the potential they bring, it has helped them extend the rope on some players. Like Atharva Taide, the opener, who has repaid the faith with 529 runs in 13 innings at 44.08- not blockbuster, but not a minor feat either.

You can tell how well the Vidarbha have fared as a team when they have no batter in the top 10 scorers and only one bowler in the top 10 wickets. It's therefore a contest of two contrasts. The domestic superstars square off against the domestic workhorses. And on the evidence of what we've seen so far this season, the workhorses are primed for their time under the limelight, if anyone is willing to throw it on them.

Run to the final

To finish in the top five teams in their respective divisions, both teams won five of their seven league games. Mumbai defeated Tamil Nadu at home in three days on a green-tinged deck, while Vidarbha overturned a first-innings deficit to defeat MP and stop a 2021-22 final.

Watch the players Shreyas Iyer and Umesh Yadav.

Umesh Yadav has n't been in India's Test plans for two years now, and a road back up looks increasingly unlikely. But he has continued to put the hard yards in, having featured in seven out of nine games for Vidarbha this season. He has had decent returns too- 27 wickets at 26.77. While he has n't picked up a five- for yet, his quick bursts have proved game changing at different stages this season for Vidarbha.

Shreyas Iyer turned things around in Pune against Saurashtra with a dazzling century in the 2015-16 Ranji final against Mumbai. Eight years later, Iyer comes into another Ranji final under different circumstances. The final is a perfect opportunity to demonstrate that the fire still burns because he recently lost his central contract and been subject to questions about his desire to play in a Test match.

Pitch and conditions

Wankhede Stadium will host the final on what is confirmed to be a fresh surface. Mumbai have rolled out green- tinged decks for each of their two knockout fixtures and have an in- form pace attack to boot. With pace and carry, explore a similar surface. Mumbai's only loss this season, however, came at Wankhede against Uttar Pradesh.

Stats and trivia

Seven of the top 10 wicket- takers this season are left- arm spinners. Among them, Aditya Sarwate will be the only one featuring in the Ranji final. He has currently picked up 40 wickets at an average of 17.37. He will move up to second place with two more wickets.

The Ranji final pits two geographically distinct teams from the same state for the first time since 1971, when Bombay defeated Maharashtra. Vidarbha have won both their previous finals. Mumbai have won 41 of their 47 finals.

Karun Nair's 328 is the highest individual score in a Ranji final. Having won the title twice, back- to- back, with Karnataka between 2013 and 2015, he will be gunning for his third title. With 616 runs in nine innings at 41.06, he is Vidarbha's highest run- scorer this season.