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Odisha were trailing by another 191 runs as a defeat by an innings loomed large despite their stoic resistance making Mumbai toil.
Mumbai are in front after enforcing the follow-on against Odisha. (Image: PTI)
Mumbai closed in on a big win despite Odisha’s stoic resistance with the bat as the defending champions reduced the visitors to 126/5 at stumps on Day Three after imposing follow-on, in their Ranji Trophy Group A encounter here on Friday.
Odisha were trailing by another 191 runs as a defeat by an innings loomed large despite their stoic resistance making Mumbai toil here at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy Ground.
Resuming at 146 for five in reply to Mumbai’s massive 602 for four declared, Odisha made the Mumbai bowlers work hard for nearly 95 overs in the first innings, and after Ajinkya Rahane asked them to follow on as the hosts took a 319-run lead, the response was no different.
Sandeep Pattanaik led the fight for Odisha in the first innings with a fine 187-ball 102 laced with 11 fours and four sixes and he was ably supported by the lower-order batters after the specialists disappointed.
However, the right-handed Pattanaik could only make 39 (45 balls, 6 fours, 1 six) in the second essay before being dismissed by left-arm spinner Shams Mulani (1/26), who took 6/115 in the first innings.
On a pitch assisting turn and bounce but largely favourable to batters due to grass cover, young right-arm off-spinner Himanshu Singh, who copies R Ashwin’s bowling action, claimed 3/45 in the second essay with great control after his 3/53 in the first innings.
At stumps, wicketkeeper-batter Aashirwad Swain (46 not out) was holding one front.
While the 27-year-old Mulani expressed delight in taking his 14th five-for in First-Class cricket, he admitted his disappointment in not getting a chance with the India A side currently playing in Australia.
“It is disappointing. But that is how life is, a lot of people don’t get selected who should get selected. My job is to keep on bowling and help my team and keep (up) the standards,” he told media after stumps.
“There is a storm inside me but not many can see it. I have to keep grinding over here, on tough tracks to bowl on, bowling 30-35 overs so that I can showcase my fitness as well.”
“It feels really good to pick up a fifer after a very long time. Normally it was not the case; I was taking 3-4 wickets and finally, I have got a fifer. It was very important for me personally and for the team as well, we need this (win) outright and we are moving in the right direction,” he said.
In Pune, Maharashtra were placed precariously as they reached 52 for three chasing 339 to win, needing another 287 against Services.
The visitors had folded for 230 in the second innings after earning a 108-run lead, thus setting a stiff target for the hosts at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Gahunje.
In Agartala, Tripura were leading by 210 runs at the close of play in the second innings after declaring at 482 for seven in their first essay, with visitors Baroda reaching 37 for no loss.
Tripura took a huge lead of 252 runs in the first innings as each of their top five batters made fifties, which included Bikram Kumar Das (97), Jiwanjot Singh (94), Tejasvi Jaiswal (82), Sridam Paul (73) and Mandeep Singh (74 not out). For the record, Tejasvi is India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal’s younger brother.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir defeated Meghalaya by seven wickets at the MCA Ground in Shillong and claimed six points.
The visitors, who dominated from the word go and had bowled out Meghalaya for paltry scores of 73 and 195, chased the 75-run target in 15.4 overs reaching 77 for three.
Auqib Nabi was named the Player of the Match for his spells of 5/14 and 5/60.
Brief Scores:
At Mumbai: Mumbai 602/4 decl. lead Odisha 285 in 94.3 overs (Sandeep Pattanaik 102; Shams Mulani 6/115) & 126/5 in 42 overs (F/O) (Aashirwad Swain 46*; Himanshu Singh 3/45) by 191 runs.
At Pune: Services 293 & 230 in 73.5 overs (Amit Shukla 51; Satyajeet Bachav 5/80) lead Maharashtra 185 & 52/3 in 20 overs (Sachin Dhas 15*; Pulkit Narang 2/22) by 287 runs.
At Shillong: Meghalaya 73 & 195 lost to Jammu and Kashmir 194 & 77/3 in 15.4 overs (Vivrant Sharma 32*; Akash Kumar 2/36) by 7 wickets.
At Agartala: Baroda 235 & 37/0 in 16 overs (Shivalik Sharma 25*, JK Singh 12*) trail Tripura 482/7d in 120.1 overs (Bikram kumar Das 97, Jiwanjot Singh 94, Tejasvi Jaiswal 82, Sridam Paul 73, Mandeep Singh 74*) by 210 runs.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)
