The Ajinkya Rahane-led Mumbai team enjoyed two wins against Andhra Pradesh and Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy. They could notch up another one against Saurashtra today on Day Three of their Elite Group B encounter at the Mumbai Cricket Association’s Bandra-Kurla Complex ground, provided they come up with an extraordinary performance.
Not-so-good response
In reply to Saurashtra’s first innings score of 289, Mumbai were bowled out for 230 to trail by 59 runs. However, Saurashtra were 120-6 in the second innings, enjoying an overall lead of 179 runs at stumps on Wednesday.
MCA’s BKC ground’s turning pitch witnessed a total of 14 wickets on the second day and thanks to left-arm spinner Shams Mulani (4-50) and pacer Tushar Deshpande (2-33), Saurashtra found themselves in trouble. But Prerak Mankad (25 not out) and Dharmendrasinh Jadeja (24 not out) have put on 43 for the seventh wicket and this could prove crucial. Much will depend on how Mumbai bowl today and then chase the target. Suryakumar Yadav, who played a crucial knock of 95 (14×4, 1×6), reckoned it will be challenging for the hosts.
“There are still two days remaining. It’ll be a challenge. I don’t think it will be a cakewalk. We’ve faced these situations earlier in the Ranji Trophy and in local tournaments. So, it’s nothing new. There’s nothing out of the box in this. It’s just that we all need to bat with intent, according to the game plan and just look to enjoy batting,” Surya said on Wednesday.
He was on 18 overnight and needed just 54 balls to get his half-century with seven fours and a six. The right-hander entered the 90s with a superbly timed on-driven four off left-arm spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja (4-70).
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Surya misses ton again
However, he missed his century yet again (90 in the last game v Hyderabad) as Jadeja took a brilliant catch near the square leg fence off left-arm spinner Yuvrajsinh Dodiya (4-43). After that, except for Sarfaraz Khan (75, 7×4, 1×6), no one showed the much-needed determination as Mumbai were bundled out for 230, losing their last five batsmen for just 24 runs.
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Brief scores
Saurashtra 289 all out and 120-6 (P Mankad batting 25, D Jadeja batting 24; S Mulani 4-50) vs Mumbai 230 all out (S Yadav 95, Sarfaraz Khan 75; D Jadeja 4-70, Y Dodiya 4-43)
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