"Everyone has chipped in at different times in the season. We've had eight or nine guys who have had exceptional seasons and that's why we're here today," said Agarkar, who combined forces with young pace mate Dhawal Kulkarni to knock the daylights out of Saurashtra in their second innings at the Wankhede Stadium here.
"Dhawal is one of the guys who has done well. He's been our stand-out performer for four or five seasons now. (Wicket keeper Aditya) Tare has had a great season, as has Hiken (Shah). Sachin (Tendulkar) has played a crucial role, (while) Jaffer has done well as has Ankeet (Chavan).
"I am very happy and very proud. I have won it before, but to win it as a captain makes the win even more special. It's very special," he added.
Saurashtra, trailing the home team by 207 runs in the first innings, were shot out for a pathetic 82 in less than three hours and 36.3 overs, 41 minutes after tea. Mumbai, thus, clinched their 40th national title in 44 appearances in the summit contest and their first after two blank seasons.
Agarkar said the hosts were motivated to give their all this time after having missed out on a final berth for a couple of years.
"Having not been in the final for a couple of years, all the guys were very keen to do well. Winning the Ranji Trophy is not easy and as the years have gone by, it has become tougher because other teams have improved so much," remarked Agarkar, who grabbed four for 15 in a fiery exhibition of seam and swing bowling on a bouncy and pacy track to complement Kulkarni's equally superb figures of five for 32 (match haul of 9 for 56). (More)
