Thakur five-for helps Mumbai fight back

Shardul Thakur's 5 for 54, his fifth five-for of this Ranji Trophy, led Mumbai's fightback as they bundled Delhi out for 166, conceding a mere 10-run first-innings lead. Opener Akhil Herwadkar's unbeaten 52 then helped Mumbai build a 77-run lead by close of play on the second day in Cuttack.

Mumbai, who had been dismissed for 156 on the first day, got early breakthroughs as pacers Wilkin Mota and Balwinder Sandhu dismissed the Delhi openers in successive overs. A 78-run partnership between Shivam Sharma and Virender Sehwag steadied the innings for a while, before Sehwag was run-out by Thakur one run short of a half-century. Sehwag's wicket left Delhi at 98 for 3 and they rapidly lost their last seven wickets for 64 runs. Apart from Thakur, Mota and Sandhu were the only Mumbai bowlers to pick up wickets, finishing with two each.

Herwadkar's steady 52 gave Mumbai's second innings a solid start as they finished at 87 for 1 at the end of 30 overs.