Mumbai romp home with 8 wickets to spare

The Mumbai batsmen finished the formalities in quick time at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday morning. And the oft crowned champions entered the final of the Ranji Trophy in style by beating Tamil Nadu by eight wickets. It was Mumbai's 38th entry into the title round.

Sameer Dighe gifted part time off spinner Sadagopan Ramesh a wicket. Having made 73 with consummate ease, Dighe hit an off spinner straight to Kumaran at deep mid off.

Sachin Tendulkar walked out to the middle and in the company of Jatin Paranjpe who helped himself to a half century, wrapped up the match. Robin Singh, bowling off spin, provided light relief in an otherwise dead match.

Mumbai will now take on Hyderabad in the final. The five day match commences at the Wankhede stadium on April 19. With Mohammed Azharuddin and Sachin Tendulkar meeting face to face, the match should be a hard fought one. The only previous occasion when the two teams met in the final was in 1964-64 when the then Bombay, in the midst of their all conquering run, defeated Hyderabad at the Fateh Maiden by an innings and 124 runs.