Mumbai played so well on the first three days of this Ranji Trophy semi-final against Delhi, that a mediocre, listless performance from them on the final day, in which they lost six wickets for just 64 runs in the pre-lunch session, didn't have any impact on the result.
Resuming at 123 for four in their second innings after deciding against enforcing the follow on, Mumbai were shot out by for 187 on Wednesday as the CCI pitch aided turn on every ball.
For Delhi, it was a case of too late, too little, though they would be proud of what their 17-year-old left-arm spinner achieved out of this 'supposed-to-be-close-game'.
Vikas Mishra returned creditable figures of six for 49 to finish with ten wickets (10-137) in the game. Delhi lost the match once they conceded a 289-run lead, but they have gained in Mishra a spinner who could serve them for long.
Amidst all this, Mumbai showed why exactly they are marching into yet another final. Pacers Usman Malvi and Avishkar Salvi held on for the tenth wicket for 59 minutes and 113 balls, starving Delhi for the final wicket while adding 21 runs. "We wanted to bowl as less as possible. Both knew that they would be the ones who would have to bowl if the innings got over, as Ajit Agarkar wanted rest," said a grinning Mumbai skipper Wasim Jaffer later.
Brief Scores: Mumbai (1st innings): 500 and (2nd innings) 187 (S Kukreja 71, Mishra 6-49) Delhi (1st innings): 211 and 2nd innings (S Dhawan 40, I Abdulla 3-53).
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Thursday, January 7, 2010
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