Ranji Trophy: Year end blues

Visitors Saurashtra are in the driver's seat and it will take a super effort from Mumbai to win their Elite Group ‘B' Ranji Trophy at the Mumbai Cricket Association's Bandra-Kurla Complex ground today. Chasing 280, Mumbai were struggling at 218-8 at stumps on the third day when play was stopped 25 minutes before the scheduled time, due to bad light.

Big task on hands

The Ajinkya Rahane-led Mumbai team stretched the game to Day Four, but the big question is whether they can score the required 62 runs. It depends on how all-rounder Shams Mulani (30 not out, 2x4), Tushar Deshpande (5 not out) and the last man Mohit Avasthi counter the Saurashtra bowling. If these batters succeed in getting those runs, it will be Mumbai's third successive outright win this season. If they lose, it will be a big achievement for Saurashtra. "We are very confident [of victory], but two wickets are left. In cricket, unless the last ball is bowled, you can't predict the result. But definitely, we are in the driver's seat and hopefully we'll win this game," Saurashtra coach Jayesh Odedra said.

Mumbai's Prithvi Shaw during his 68 yesterday

Despite losing opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (9) in the sixth over, Mumbai started their chase with a positive frame of mind with Prithvi Shaw scoring 68 (6x4, 2x6) and Suryakumar Yadav getting 38 (5x4).

Shaw, who registered his first 50 of the season, was timing the ball well, scoring his runs through sweep shots, back foot punches and front foot drives. Shaw and Surya put on 83 for the second wicket. Surya departed while trying to cut left-arm spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja (1-78). And then, after adding just four runs to the total, Mumbai lost Shaw with the scoreboard reading 115-3.

Sarfaraz Khan (20, 1x4) was lucky when umpires [Tapan Sharma and Nikhil Patwardhan] revoked a decision when he was declared caught on eight. Later, the attacking batsman was caught behind by Harvik Desai off debutant off-spinner Yuvrajsinh Dodiya (3-80).

Also Read: Ranji Trophy: Sarfaraz Khan does another star turn

Sarfaraz not pleased

There was an exchange of words as the fielding side returned to the dressing room.

No.7 Mulani and debutant No.8 Musheer Khan (23) showed some intent and it looked Mumbai had a good chance. However, left-arm spinner Parth Bhut (4-56) dismissed Musheer to break the seventh wicket partnership of 47 runs.

Coach Odedra appeared positive: "Beating Mumbai in Mumbai… can anything get better than that? Especially with the side that Mumbai have. They are playing with some of the best batsmen India has at this moment."

Earlier in the day, Saurashtra's last four batsmen added 100 runs to their overnight score of 120-6. Jadeja (90, 12x4, 1x6), who was unbeaten with 24 on Wednesday, showcased the same determination to register his highest first-class score. However, he missed his maiden hundred while trying to play a sweep shot to off-spinner Shashank Attarde (1-46). Mulani once again bowled well to claim another 10-wicket match haul; 6-65 in the second innings.

Brief scores
Saurashtra 289 & 220 (D Jadeja 90, P Mankad 38; S Mulani 6-65, T Deshpande 2-69) v Mumbai 230 & 218-8 (P Shaw 68, S Yadav 38, Mulani 30'; P Bhut 4-56, Y Dodiya 3-80 )