Which is the best Test cricket match played ever?

Tywin Lannister

This match had the class of an epic, heroism of the written-offs, the passion of the crowd, the battle of a lone gladiator, heart-break of the fallen and the mystery of the game.

This was 1991 Ranji final between Manjrekar led Bombay and kapil led Haryana.

Haryana did the unthinkable, beating Mumbai at their home turf. The final moments of the game saw nerve - wrecking drama. Mumbai nearly chased the impossible target of 355 with a blistering pace in just 2 sessions of batting.

It was the closest final ever. Mumbai lost by 2 runs and entire Wankhadhe stadium cried with Dilip Vengsarkar, who was unbeaten at 139 off 137 balls and left stranded at the non- striker end.

It was a star studded lineup for both the teams. Haryana had legendary all-rounder kapil dev, Ajay Jadeja and Chetan Sharma in their ranks. Mumbai had Manjrekar, Vengsarkar, Kambli, Chandrakant Pandit,Salil Ankola and a middle order batsman who goes by the name of Sachin Tendulkar.

The lead

Haryana made 522 in 1st inningslead by the buoyant knock of 199 by Deepak sharma. Mumbai could manage only 410 thereby conceding a 112 runs lead. It was the time tasted way of 80’s to produce results based on 1st innings lead. All Haryana had to do was to play out their time. Three and half day of play was already over.

The Admission

Kapil told vengsarkar in the lunch interval of the final day “ Yaar ek baar toh jeetne de “. (Let us win atleast once) Vengsarkar replied “Tum toh jeete hi huye ho “.(You guys have almost won). Kapil's reply was a master piece - “jab tak tu hai tab tak toh nai ( As long as you are there its not so simple)

The chase

Haryana was bundled out for 242 on 5th day just before lunch leaving Bombay with a chase of 355 with just 3.5 hours of play and then mandatory 20 overs. Bombay was reduced to 42 for 3 with Manjrekar already in dressing room. The hope of the wankhadhe crowd seemed to dash away. Those who could not stay to watch their beloved team lose started to leave, a decision that they will regret for the rest of their lives.

The Tendlya effect

This local lad, 18 years old, arrived on crease with Dilip Vengsarkar, the old war-horse of Indian lineup. Tendlya ransacked the bowlers and send the ball out of field at will. He made a scorching 96 off just 75 balls in just over an hour.Before he was caught at covers he left his side back in the game. The news of his onslaught reverberated across the city and people started to converge to Wankhadhe. When Kambli walked in, they were only half-way through.

Its over to Vengsarkar now

Venky made his intentions clear with a resounding six off Kapil. He started firing on all cylinders. Wickets kept tumbling at regular interval after Kambli departed at 45. Bombay was 114 runs short when the mandatory overs started. Suddenly, it was 9 wickets down with 50 runs to go. The last man Kuruvilla was a monkey with the bat. With his back to the wall Vengsarkar came out lashing to the star off- spinner Yogendra Bhandari

6,6,4,4,6 in one over.

Very mindfully, they rotated strike stealing ones and two's as Kapil implored his players to calm down. With just 3 runs needed off 15 balls kuruwila blundered a run-up with the substitute runner and got himself run-out. Vengsarkar was stranded at square with cramped legs, helplessly watching the muddle.

The Heartbreak

Haryana team erupted in celebration. Hell broke loose for Bombay as Vengsarkar kneeled on the grond, the burden of a shattered dream was too much for him. The crowd hushed into a gloomy silence. He had to be helped back to the dressing room. Limping back to the stands he was crying like a child, unabashedly.He sat on the corner-most chair, eyes swollen and blood- shot. No one dared to go near him.

For Bombay losing was never an option.

Next day newspapers reported,

“The crowd watched in silence, many choking up themselves, distraught at the sight of this gallant hero whose last deed was left undone”.

This match was long forgotten in public memory, consigned to the glamour of international cricket. For the old timers though, it was the best match that could ever be.

Final, Ranji Trophy at Mumbai, May 3-7 1991 | Match Summary | ESPNCricinfo