Mumbai’s hopes of salvaging a draw against TNCA XI in the Buchi Babu tournament were dashed as star batters Shreyas Iyer and Sarfaraz Khan fell in quick succession to short-pitched deliveries. The visitors, chasing a daunting 510, had shown promise in the first session, reaching 119 for two in 40 overs. However, TNCA XI’s unconventional fielding setup, featuring a fly slip, fine third-man, and a fielder positioned between fine-leg and square-leg, proved to be their undoing.
Sai Kishore’s introduction of this unorthodox fielding arrangement disrupted Iyer’s rhythm, and the pacer’s pull shot went straight to the TNCA XI skipper’s hands. Achyuth’s next over saw Sarfaraz caught at deep backward point off a wide and rising delivery. Mumbai’s batting lineup crumbled from 122 for two to 122 for five, with Sai Kishore also accounting for Sidhaant Aadhhathrao.
The visitors never recovered from that jolt and were bundled out for 223, handing TNCA XI a 286-run victory and a berth in the semifinals. Achyuth, who made his debut in the match, expressed his delight at dismissing batters who have played for India. “The length is important, but that spell was more about short balls and the pace helped a bit,” he said.
