NEW DELHI: Skipper Ajinkya Rahane’s decided century and Royston Dias’ career-best five-wicket haul powered defending champions Mumbai to a exceptional 152-run victory over Haryana, securing a spot within the Ranji Trophy semifinals in Kolkata on Tuesday.
Resuming on 88, Rahane wasted little time within the morning, reaching his forty first first-class century with a composed 108 off 180 balls, laced with 13 boundaries. His essential knock guided Mumbai to 339 of their second innings, setting Haryana a frightening goal of 354.
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In response, Haryana collapsed beneath the stress of left-arm pacer Dias (5/39) and Shardul Thakur (3/26), folding for 201 in 57.3 overs. The dominant bowling show noticed Thakur end with a match haul of 9 wickets, finishing Mumbai’s comeback after being in hassle at 65/5 within the first innings.
Rahane’s Grit and Mumbai’s Collapse
Rahane bought off to a assured begin, placing elegant boundaries off Sumit Kumar and Anshul Kamboj to maneuver to 99 earlier than nudging a single to succeed in the milestone off 160 balls. The Mumbai veteran eliminated his helmet, seemed skyward, and soaked within the emotional second—it was his first century of the season.
Nonetheless, Mumbai faltered quickly after his dismissal. Resuming from 278/4, the staff misplaced its last six wickets for simply 61 runs, with in a single day batter Shivam Dube (44) falling two runs in need of a half-century. Anuj Thakral (4/70) spearheaded Haryana’s bowling effort, whereas Kamboj, Sumit, and Jayant Yadav chipped in with two wickets every.
Haryana’s pursuit by no means gained momentum, barring a preventing sixth-wicket partnership of 90 runs between Lakshay Dalal (64 off 130) and Sumit Kumar (62 off 96). The duo briefly pissed off Mumbai, with Sumit counterattacking by stepping out to Shams Mulani to nullify spin.
Sensing the necessity for a breakthrough, Rahane launched part-time medium pacer Dube, however Mumbai’s fielding lapses allowed simple singles. Regardless of the resistance, Mumbai held the higher hand with a steep goal.
Sumit introduced up his seventh first-class fifty off 72 balls, however Rahane’s sharp captaincy turned the tide. Off-spinner Tanush Kotian supplied the breakthrough in his very first over — Lakshay, trying to tug a supply from outdoors off, gloved it faintly to the keeper. Whereas the on-field umpire was unmoved, Rahane confidently known as for DRS, which confirmed the sting.
Dias then struck once more, dismissing Sumit to finish Haryana’s hopes. Within the last hour, Mumbai ran by means of the tail, with Dias ending with a match-winning 5/39—his maiden five-wicket haul in first-class cricket.
Thakur, who had claimed six wickets within the first innings, set the tone early within the chase. Steaming in from the Excessive Courtroom Finish, he extracted motion on a flat pitch, delivering a relentless 10-over spell throughout two classes, ending with figures of 10-3-26-3.
Dias supplied wonderful assist from the Pavilion Finish, beginning with a disciplined spell of 6-2-12-2 earlier than wrapping up the innings along with his finest profession figures.
Ultimately, Haryana’s last 5 wickets tumbled within the prolonged play session, sealing a commanding win for Mumbai and guaranteeing their march into the Ranji Trophy semifinals.
Transient Scores
Mumbai 315 and 339 in 85.3 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 108, Suryakumar Yadav 70, Shivam Dube 48). Haryana 201; 57.3 overs (Lakshay Dalal 64, Sumit Kumar 62; Royston Dias 5/39, Shardul Thakur 3/26). Mumbai gained by 152 runs.
