Mumbai take lead against Saurashtra

Valuable contributions by most of their top order batsmen saw Mumbai take the first innings lead over Saurashtra on the third day of their West Zone Ranji Trophy league match at Ghandidham on Sunday. Replying to Saurashtra's 354, Mumbai were 377 for eight by close.

Mumbai were given an excellent start by their openers Vinayak Mane and Wasim Jaffar. Resuming at 63 for no loss, the two went on to share a partnership of 128 runs off 39.2 overs. Jaffar was the first to leave, being leg before to Sitanshu Kotak for 77. He faced 101 balls and hit eight of them to the ropes. After Sairaj Bahutule was run out for 3, Mane and Amol Muzumdar added 65 runs off 15.2 overs. Mane finally left at this stage, the first of the five victims of Niraj Odedara. Mane faced 224 balls and hit eleven boundaries. Mumbai's fortunes were then in the safe hands of Muzumdar and the experienced Vinod Kambli. The two were associated in a 123-run stand off 19.4 overs for the fourth wicket. Muzumdar was leg before to Odedara for 67. He faced 104 balls and hit five of them to the fence.

Saurashtra now came back strongly in the game with some quick wickets, including that of Kambli who was bowled by Odedara for 90. The former Indian left hander hit his runs off just 74 balls and hit ten fours and three sixes. Mumbai lost their eighth wicket at 354 - the same total as Saurashtra's. But Rajesh Pawar and Abhijit Shettye added 23 runs for the unbroken ninth wicket till stumps were drawn. Odedara was easily the pick of the bowlers, taking five for 78 off 28 overs.