Mumbai on Verge of Ranji Trophy Victory over Maharashtra
Mumbai is on the cusp of victory in its Ranji Trophy Group A tie against arch-rival Maharashtra, thanks to three outstanding innings and two mini collapses. Despite centuries from Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ankeet Bawane, and Sachin Dhas missing the landmark by just two runs, Maharashtra’s second innings folded up for 388, conceding a 315-run innings lead.
At stumps on Day three at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy ground, Mumbai had wiped out 13 runs of the target of 74. The day belonged to the three Maharashtra batters, despite bursts of brilliance with the ball. Shardul Thakur and Mohit Avasthi employed the short-ball ploy right away, but Gaikwad made his intentions clear, hooking the first ball of the day’s play over the deep square-leg’s head beyond the boundary.
Gaikwad displayed his ability to convert good balls into boundary shots in abundance, impressing with his strokeplay and running between the wickets alongside Dhas. However, Dhas faltered into a pull shot off Mohit Avasthi, and Shardul ran in from deep square-leg to take the catch. Dhas was dismissed on 98, leaving captain Gaikwad to offer him a consolatory hug.
Mulani was finally rewarded when Gaikwad edged one that pitched around leg-stump and turned, with Ajinkya Rahane not faltering at slips. Tanush Kotian then wreaked havoc by picking three wickets in eight balls, including a stunning Suryakumar Yadav catch at short midwicket to dismiss Arshin Kulkarni.
Bawane, driving at his fluent best, found an ally in Satyajeet Bachhav. Mumbai’s ploy of taking the new ball also worked in Maharashtra’s favor as the duo batted without any trouble. Minutes after crossing his 24th First Class hundred, Bawane attempted a reverse sweep off Mulani and was bowled. That resulted in a chaotic finish to the innings with Mumbai picking the last four wickets for five runs.