Mumbai went into their Ranji Trophy game against struggling Hyderabad looking for maximum points to consolidate their position on the points' table.
Mumbai went into their Ranji Trophy game against struggling Hyderabad looking for maximum points to consolidate their position on the points' table.
But after they lost the toss, Mumbai skipper Wasim Jaffer would have been extremely worried considering that Hyderabad were going to bat first on a batting beauty at their home ground in Uppal.
But by the end of the first session, Jaffer's worries were eased quite a bit.
Ajit Agarkar has always had the habit of coming up with hostile spells and generate good pace even on placid wickets and he did the same yesterday.
Agarkar dismissed both the openers in his nine-over opening spell conceding just 17 runs and then came back later in the day to pick one more wicket.
At close of play, Hyderabad were 223 for 7, a recovery in a way after they were 98 for 5 but on a placid wicket, the advantage lies with the visitors.
Agarkar's opening spell has not only given Mumbai the edge, but the bowling all-rounder will also be on a high after having failed to pick as many wickets in the earlier games.
"Ajit's opening spell was very crucial today. The wicket is really good for batting and it is not helping the pacers or the spinners. So, to go out and pick wickets from the word go is quite commendable. His spell has given us a chance to be on top in this game," said Jaffer.
"Ajit has been bowling well since the start of the season but we have been playing mostly on flat wickets so it's now always possible for him or the others to pick wickets regularly. But today, the pacers did their job. Ajit bowled well and Avishkar Salvi backed it up by picking two wickets," the stylish right-hander added.
Mumbai will now be looking to dismiss the Hyderabad tail as quickly as possible today and take advantage of the second day wicket. Rohit Sharma, who hurt his shoulder while fielding and was taken to the hospital for a scan, might not be able to bat if he is still feeling the pain. So, the onus will be on Ajinkya Rahane and Jaffer as Mumbai are playing with just five batsmen.
"The pitch might break up later in the game but the second and third day will be good for batting. So, it will be important that we bat well and put up a big total," Jaffer said.
