Follow Us"It's very special. We had won in my debut season, but then a couple of years went by just like that. Then when we won in 2015-16, we did not have any Test players in our side. That was an achievement in itself. The Ranji Trophy is a very long season. I joined the team from the last league match. But all the boys in the team, including the support staff, everyone has been working very hard since June. Finally, as we are winning the trophy in March, this feeling is very special.
We play cricket for challenging situations. Everyone can perform in easy situations but what matters is who performs for the team in challenging situations. So I always think like that - not just to pull the team out of the tough situation but also put a good total on the board, so that there is a psychological effect as well on the opponents. The same happened in the semi-final and final. We were seven down for 110 (106), I scored a big hundred. Here, too, we were in a similar situation in the first innings. I could score 75 from there and increase the team's total. I feel the 200-plus total helped us win today."
MUSHEER KHAN (PLAYER OF THE MATCH)
"It was a very important innings for me because it was the final. I was trying to bat as long as possible and stitch a partnership with whoever was at the other end. I really enjoyed batting with him (Rahane). We were talking regularly, we had a good understanding - he was helping me understand things better. Our plan was to bat the whole day with a straight bat.
It is a pride for me to share the Mumbai dressing room, we have got some great players. I am happy we won the title for the 42nd time. We had been working hard for a long time and today we got the reward. I need to work a lot on my game. I want to just focus on my process and not look too far ahead."
TANUSH KOTIAN (PLAYER OF THE SERIES)
"At the start of the season, we thought we were the runners-up two seasons ago, so we really wanted to win. Last year, we failed to qualify for the knockouts by one run. So we were determined to win this time. For the last two years, we were putting in the effort with the same team but it was not happening. So this time it was amazing to lift the trophy.
The way I batted last season, I had that confidence. I worked a lot on my game with my father, coaches and support staff. Ajju (Rahane) da guided me about how to score a hundred. My personal batting coach also supported me a lot. So I think because of that hard work I could do it. The way I have improved this season from the last one, I feel I just need to keep working hard every day and keep talking to my captain, coaches and senior players in the team for advice on what I can work on. And hopefully, I will come back even stronger next time.
We were doing well from the start of the season. But we knew it would not be easy in the knockouts. Ten games with just three-day breaks was not easy, especially for the fast bowlers - to play ten games and bowl with the same intensity. The batsmen also supported well and showed great temperament. The lower order also batted really well. So it was a team effort, and what we achieved what we had planned."
"Last time we had missed the chance. So this win is very important for us. Throughout the season, everyone has contributed. It was not just one or two players, everyone stood up when it was needed.
Whether I am batting or bowling, I think about what the team needs and how I can support to put us in a better position. Our spirit was always high. Throughout the season we made comebacks from tough situations. Our thinking was that this was another tough situation and we had to come back. Our mentality is that we can win from any situation. We did not always have easy wins. We kept working hard, picking up a wicket here or two there, winning a session, and that's how we have reached till the trophy."
"It's a cricketer's dream to start on a high and end on a high. This final will remain very close to me because this is my sixth final and the fifth time we have won.
(On Rahane bringing him on at the end) It was a very good gesture. I wasn't expecting it because Tushar (Deshpande) had picked up two wickets just before that. But hats off to Rahane. He told me, 'Dhawal, you have led for so many years. Lead once again and finish the job.'
The more I played, the more experience I gained by playing alongside big players. The same experience I tried to pass on to the youngsters."