There was a sense of inevitability about it. After Mumbai recovered from 113/7 shortly after lunch on Day 1 of the Ranji Trophy quarter-final against Haryana and posted 315, it started getting clearer by the minute that they were going to clinch it, even when Haryana were going strong in the initial part of their reply at Eden Gardens. The game reached its logical conclusion in the end.
With a thumping 152-run victory, the 42-time champions stormed into the semi-finals and set up a clash against Vidarbha. These two teams met in last season’s final where Mumbai had the last laugh. One can’t say for sure that the outcome will be the same again, but there is no doubt that Mumbai will start as favourites, like they always do when they reach the knockouts.
Ajinkya Rahane’s team had secured a first-innings lead of 14 and when they began Day 4 at 278/4, one expected them to carry on for some time. Even though Rahane completed his first century of the season, Mumbai lost six wickets in just 18.3 overs. Haryana needed 354 to win. Their chances of getting there were negligible and the game got over when the shadows were lengthening.
Haryana had nothing left in the tank. They were in it until midway through their first innings, but lost every round after that. Shardul Thakur dealt them a body blow by sending back captain and first-innings century-maker Ankit Kumar early. It soon became 60/5 and well before left-arm seamer Royston Dias ended the match with his maiden five-wicket haul, the writing was on the wall.
“We have something which brings the best out of us when the team is under pressure,” said Dias. “Just to play for Mumbai, we have to make sure that we give more than 100 per cent in every club game. Once we get there, we realise the value of the Mumbai jersey. For us, that’s a huge thing. Everybody gives it their best. That’s perhaps one reason why we succeed.”
This has been happening for years. In 2014-15, Mumbai lost to Jammu & Kashmir at Wankhede Stadium. The same season, they suffered a rare innings defeat against Tamil Nadu in Chennai. If one thought that the empire was crumbling, it struck back. Even this year, they lost league games against Baroda and J&K. Look at where they are now. Once they smell blood, it’s difficult to stop them.
Brief scores: Mumbai 314 & 339 (Ajinkya Rahane 108, Anuj Thakral 4/70) beat Haryana 301 & 201 (Lakshay Dalal 70, Sumit Kumar 62, Royston Dias 5/39, Shardul Thakur 3/26) by 152 runs.
Vidarbha outclass Tamil Nadu
Vidarbha defeated Tamil Nadu by 198 runs in Nagpur. The visiting side was always behind the game after conceding a lead of 128 runs and the target of 401 to win was always going to be difficult. This gives Karun Nair a chance to display his form and skills against a tough side like Mumbai.
Brief scores: Vidarbha 353 & 272 (Yash Rathod 112, Harsh Dubey 64, R Sai Kishore 5/78) beat Tamil Nadu 225 & 202 (Sonu Yadav 57, Pradosh Ranjan Paul 53, Nachiket Bhute 3/19, Harsh Dubey 3/40) by 198 runs.
Gujarat inflict innings defeat on Saurashtra
Gujarat booked their place in the semi-finals, beating Saurashtra by an innings and 98 runs in Rajkot. Cheteshwar Pujara managed just 26 and two in the match as Saurashtra suffered a rare humiliation at home. They were never in the game after surrendering meekly in the first innings.
Brief scores: Saurashtra 216 & 197 (Harvik Desai 54, Priyajitsing Jadeja 4/32, Arzan Nagaswalla 3/54) lost to Gujarat 511 by an innings and 98 runs.
J&K need 8 wickets, Kerala 299 runs
In Pune, Jammu & Kashmir hold a slight edge over Kerala. After conceding a lead of one run, they set Kerala a target of 399 to win. The pressure on the last day will be on the southern side. They need 299 more with eight wickets in hand.
Brief scores: J&K 280 & 399/9 decl (Paras Dogra 132, Kanhaiya Wadhwan 64, Sahil Lotra 59, MD Nidheesh 4/89) vs Kerala 281 & 100/2.
The post Mumbai storm into Ranji Trophy semi-finals appeared first on Sports News Portal | Latest Sports Articles | Revsports.
