A complete of 16 wickets, a six-for by Shardul Thakur, a blazing century by Shivam Dube, and a curious non-dismissal for Ajinkya Rahane — day certainly one of Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy match towards Assam right here on the MCA floor in Bandra Kurla Complex had loads packed in. At the tip of all of it, it was the hosts who have been firmly within the driver’s seat.
India’s Shardul Thakur in motion (REUTERS)
Heading into the competition, Mumbai, with 4 outright wins in six video games, had already secured their spot within the quarter-finals. Despite their final league match of the season being a lifeless rubber, with Assam not within the reckoning for qualification, the house aspect remained relentless with the ball after successful the toss.
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Assam have been bowled-out for simply 84 runs in 32.1 overs earlier than Mumbai received to 217/6 at stumps.
Competing in simply his second Ranji recreation this season, having gone wicketless within the earlier match towards Chhattisgarh, Thakur bowled a fiery spell with the brand new ball to choose three wickets and blow away Assam’s prime order.
“We were expecting a batting pitch but I don’t know what happened, it was quite damp and slow to begin with,” stated the 32-year-old. “There was good bounce but not much carry. It was important for us to pitch the ball in the right areas.”
Abhishek Thakuri, in at No.4, held on from one finish however Assam saved dropping wickets with Mohit Avasthi, Tushar Deshpande and Shams Mulani moving into the act. Thakur picked three of the primary 4 wickets earlier than returning for one more spectacular spell and taking three of the final 4 wickets.
“I felt I was unlucky to not get any wicket in the last game,” stated Thakur. “I sat down then and thought about my game and knew that I had bowled well. So, I had that confidence and just had to carry it into this game. My body is feeling absolutely fine and I can bowl as many overs as needed. I just had an ankle niggle and needed three weeks to recover.”
Mumbai wrapped up the Assam innings within the first session itself and would’ve hoped to ship a powerful batting efficiency from there. But issues didn’t go as per plan initially as they ended up dropping half their aspect with simply 110 runs on the board.
Perhaps essentially the most fascinating second of the day got here after skipper Rahane and Dube introduced up a 50-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Rahane, batting on 18, was given out for obstructing the sector after attempting to scamper again into the crease. But Assam went on to withdraw the attraction and he was allowed to proceed his innings. This might occur as a result of tea had been taken instantly after the incident and the subsequent ball wasn’t bowled.
“He (Rahane) didn’t change his direction looking at the ball and wasn’t trying to obstruct the field,” stated Thakur. “The umpires felt he could be given out since the throw was aimed at the stumps. But Assam’s coach felt he didn’t obstruct the field purposely. So, he walked up to us and apologised. He said the appeal was in the heat of the moment and they wanted to withdraw it. But Ajinkya was not keen on batting again and said once given out is out. But we convinced him he could bat again and it would be for the team. His ethics don’t allow him to do that but he went ahead for the team.”
Rahane, nonetheless, couldn’t take advantage of his reprieve and added simply 4 runs to his tally earlier than being bowled by Dibakar Johori. Mumbai already had the primary innings lead by then however wanted one thing particular to put up a powerful complete. And as soon as once more, it was Dube who raised his hand to notch up his second century of the season.
The left-hander hit 10 fours and 5 sixes in his unbeaten 101 off 95 balls. He took a while to settle in and received a number of edges previous the slip fielders however struck the ball powerfully for essentially the most half. Dube’s 103-run stand for the sixth wicket with Mulani deflated the Assam gamers and put Mumbai nicely on prime once more.
“Shivam played very well,” stated Thakur. “When the chips are down, it’s not easy to absorb the pressure and then counterattack. I think he played an ideal innings for any surface. There was a lot of pressure when he went in but he absorbed it and didn’t attack straightaway. He knows his areas of strength very well.”
Source: www.hindustantimes.com
