Mumbai’s No. 10 and 11 batters Tanush Kotian and Tushar Deshpande slam historic centuries in 232-run stand for last wicket vs Baroda in Ranji Trophy 2024

Mumbai all-rounders Tanush Kotian and Tushar Deshpande made history, becoming only the second No. 10 and No. 11 pair in first-class cricket to score centuries in the same innings during the Ranji Trophy 2024 quarterfinal against Baroda. Notably, teaming up for the last wicket with Mumbai at 337 for nine overnight, Tanush Kotian and Tushar Deshpande exhibited resilience, forging a remarkable stand to bat Baroda out of the game, having earned a 36-run first-innings lead.

Meanwhile, Tanush Kotian reached his century with 115 balls, featuring nine fours and three sixes. However, Tushar Deshpande secured his maiden First-Class hundred in 112 deliveries, featuring eight fours and six.

However, Tanush Kotian and Tushar Deshpande’s achievement mirrors the historic feat of Chandu Sarwate and Shute Banerjee, who, in 1946, during a Surrey vs. Indians match at the Oval, became the only other No. 10 and No. 11 pair to score first-class centuries in the same innings of Ranji Trophy 2024. 

Tanush Kotian and Tushar Deshpande alliance stands as the third instance of an Indian pair

Tanush Kotian and Tushar Deshpande alliance stands as the third instance of an Indian pair achieving a 200-plus partnership for the last wicket. Moreover, Tushar Deshpande’s remarkable innings not only made him the third Indian to score a first-class century while batting at number 11 but also surpassed Banerjee’s 121, establishing the highest first-class score by an Indian number 11 batsman. In addition, Tushar Deshpande’s innings concluded at 123, just one run short of breaking the Ranji Trophy record for the highest last-wicket partnership.

However, though Sarwate and Banerjee retain the overall Indian record with their formidable 249-run partnership, the specific Ranji Trophy record belongs to Ajay Sharma and Maninder Singh. During the 1991-92 Ranji semifinal against Bombay at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Sharma and Singh orchestrated a memorable 233-run partnership. Sharma showcased his brilliance with an unbeaten 259, while Singh contributed 78 to the partnership. Meanwhile, despite their outstanding effort, Delhi secured victory based on the first-inning lead.