Mumbai lads content with a draw

Mumbai were held to a draw by Gujarat in the West Zone Under-14 match at the Elf Vengsarkar ground in Mumbai on Wednesday. The hosts bagged five points for the first innings lead while the visitors went home with three points in the kitty.

On Monday, Gujarat skipper Rajdeep Darbar won the toss and decided to parade his side's batting skills. They did well to score 308 all out in 102.4 overs. Healthy contributions from the lower order helped Gujarat reach the 300 run mark. Wicketkeeper Kuldeep Gadhavi topscored with 61 off 82 balls with 12 hits to the fence. Vinay Panchal returned unbeaten on 53 off 90 balls with seven hits to the fence. The skipper chipped in with 49 off 77 balls with 11 hits to the fence. Skipper Shoeb Shaikh bagged five for 63 with his medium pacers.

In reply, the hosts rattled up 430 in 106 overs before being dismissed. Prashant Naik made a fluent century as the innings revolved around him. He was dismissed for 103 off 204 balls with 13 hits to the fence. Shoeb Shaikh chipped in with a breezy 78 off 81 balls with seven hits to the fence. The highlight of the innings was a 139-run partnership for the fifth wicket off 34 overs between Naik and Shaikh. The Mumbai innings had as many as four run outs.

The visitors batted to their hearts content in their second essay. Opener Sunny Patel scored 109 off 124 balls with 17 boundaries. Mrunal Patel remained unbeaten on 71 off 156 balls with 12 hits to the fence. Gujarat ended the day on 225 for three off 67 overs, thus earning a honourable draw.