Mumbai all set to lift Ranji Trophy

The day was simply divided into two parts. Everything that happened up to tea, and the post tea session. In another light, the period during which Hyderabad harboured hopes of a miraculous victory and the period after they decided it was a lost cause. Whichever way one looks at it, Mumbai were moving in for the kill at the end of the day in the Ranji Trophy final at the Wankhede stadium on Saturday. Hyderabad have nothing to play for from their position of 251/7.

Hyderabad batted with determination. That's the bottom line. Though there has been ample talk about how they have absolutely no hope whatsoever in this game and that they don't have the big guns in their batting line up. That might very well be true. However, what must be granted is that they went through to lunch losing just one wicket.

Nandakishore was the only casualty when he was undone by a well pitched delivery from Ajit Agarkar. Bowling with good pace, Agarkar managed to trap the opener in just the fourth over of the day. His opening spell of 5-2-7-1 had the crowd roaring in anticipation of a Hyderabad collapse.

However, Daniel Manohar and VVS Laxman refused to be cowed down. Abey Kuruvilla opening the bowling in his last match did his job efficiently. He took the ball for a longer spell than most expected, finishing with 9-1-24-0. Daniel Manohar was circumspect to start with, leaving the ball well. He knew exactly where his off stump was and forced the bowlers to bring the ball closer to the stumps.

Laxman was in a rich vein of form. Though he chose to be more careful than usual, Laxman played some exquisite strokes in his stay at the crease. When the ball was short he was in position quickly, never afraid to take the aerial route while pulling. His drives through the off side lit up the eyes of the Hyderabad dressing room and put at least a sliver of uncertainty in the minds of the Mumbai team.

When Laxman edged a ball from Kuruvilla straight to Sachin Tendulkar at slip he had just six runs to his name. The ball came to Tendulkar at a comfortable height, went straight to his hands and popped out. For someone who is usually a safe catcher at first slip it was a bad miss.

After lunch, more good batting by Hyderabad saw them solidify their position. Laxman and Manohar seemed to have understood the situation rather well. Manohar made a brilliant century on debut against Karnataka three years ago and since has failed to impress. Though he looks good out in the middle he simply does not have the scores to back him up.

Laxman made most of the runs in the partnership, being the more fluent of the two batsmen. The Hyderabad dressing room was on its feet when he brought up his century off 161 balls. His knock included two big sixes against spinner Rajesh Pawar in addition to 12 boundaries. Both sixes were effortlessly struck from the crease, all timing.

Keeping to mediumpacers all day Samir Dighe took a fair thumping. In the 46th over of the day, Ajit Agarkar's 11th, Dighe was struck particularly hard and winced in pain. From the confines of the press box, it appeared as though Dighe had split the webbing on his left hand. Vinod Kambli who had fielded exceptionally well all day, donned the gloves.

At tea, Hyderabad were proceeding steadily on with 194/1 on the board. Manohar was on a patient unbeaten 66 while Laxman had 111 to his name. After tea however, Hyderabad lost their way completely. Hampered by the fact that Mohammed Azharuddin could bat only after five wickets had fallen, Hyderabad succumbed meekly. Azhar was off the field most of yesterday with an injury to his thigh and this meant that he could only come in late in the order.

Laxman, resuming on his tea score of 111, skied a catch to substitute fielder Amit Dani. Nelson had struck again. There was little hope for Hyderabad after Laxman was dismissed and this showed in their approach to batting. Laxman had been positive while being guarded and this gave the batsmen some confidence. His demise brought Vanka Pratap to the crease.

Manohar, who had battled hard for over 300 minutes, fell to the spin of Rajesh Pawar. The left armer bowled Manohar when he was on 71. At this stage, Hyderabad were 202/3 and still relatively well placed. However, the batsmen who followed showed no conviction whatsoever. This reflected clearly on the scorecard as Hyderabad slipped to 240/7.

Even the experienced Azharuddin could do precious little. Playing a forward defensive stroke to Pawar, Azhar ended up ballooning a catch to the fielder under the helmet at silly mid off.

At the end of the day, Hyderabad were tottering and there is very little left for Mumbai to do but drive the nails into the Hyderabad coffin.