Mumbai take honours despite Arun Kumar's 76

Despite a gallant 76 by in form opener J Arun Kumar, Mumbai took the honours on the first day of their Group A Ranji Trophy Super League match against Karnataka at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore on Saturday. After dismissing the hosts for 209 runs in their first innings, Mumbai scored 17 without loss by close.

Opting to bat, Karnataka were given a good start with Arun Kumar and Mithun Beerala (14) putting on 46 runs off 17.4 overs. But the fall of Beerala and Sujith Somasundar in successive overs was a major blow. However Arun Kumar and VST Naidu (20) steadied the innings with a fourth wicket stand of 66 runs off 20.4 overs. But the fall of Arun Kumar who was fourth out at 141 started a mini collapse. While A Vijay stood firm, wickets fell at regular intervals at the other end and medium pacer S Kannan hastened the end of the innings with some quick wickets. Arun Kumar who faced 171 balls hit 13 fours while Vijay who was last out, faced 102 balls for his 41, which included six hits to the ropes. Kannan finished with four for 55 while Nilesh Kulkarni had three for 41.

Mumbai batted for seven overs and openers Wasim Jaffer and Amit Phagnis batted out till stumps were drawn.