NEW DELHI, 31 March 2004 — Champions Bombay claimed the Ranji Trophy title after dominating the final against Tamil Nadu, which ended in a tame draw yesterday.
Tamil Nadu middle-order batsman Subramaniam Badrinath hit an unbeaten 110 on the final day to enable last year’s finalists to stave off an embarrassing defeat.
Mumbai sealed their 36th national title in 39 finals by virtue of their first innings lead, having amassed 613 after bowling out the hosts for 294.
Tamil Nadu had reached 353 for four wickets in their second innings, having wiped out the 319-run first innings deficit, when the match was called off as a draw in the last session of play.
Resuming at their overnight 163 for three, Tamil Nadu lost ex-India opener Sadagopan Ramesh (31) early with 139 runs still required to avoid an innings defeat.
But the 23-year-old Badrinath held firm, hitting 17 fours in his 338-ball knock lasting almost seven hours and sharing in an unbroken 173-run fifth wicket partnership with Hemang Badani (77 not out) to salvage a draw.
