Published: Dec 18, 2015, 12:57 AM (IST)
Edited: Dec 18, 2015, 01:02 AM (IST)
Hyderabad: Rajat Bhatia’s unbeaten 94 eclipsed Ajinkya Rahane‘s strokeful 114 in Rajasthan’s five-wicket win over Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2015-16 on Thursday. Bhatia’s blistering innings off 71 balls helped Rajasthan chase down the 302-run target in 49 overs. Rahane, playing his second match of the domestic competition, steered Mumbai to 301 for nine. Besides Bhatia’s brilliant effort, Ashok Menaria came up with a 80-ball 86 to contribute to the team’s cause. The other contributions came from Puneet Yadav (49) and Dishant Yagnik (40). Full Updates: Vijay Hazare Trophy 2015-16, Mumbai vs Rajasthan
With the loss, Mumbai dropped to the third spot in Group A with 12 points while Rajasthan are fourth with 12 points due to an inferior net run rate. Mumbai were looking in good form this season bur t their good run has finally come to an end. The group is extremely tight now as it reached it climax with both Rajasthan and Mumbai in with a chance to make it through to the next round. It will also depend on how the results from the other teams shape up.
Mumbai were dominant even in the group stages of the Ranji Trophy 2015-16, where they are still unbeaten. Rajasthan failed to make it to the knockout stages of that tournament but seem determined to make it through in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Bhatia has been a star for them with bat and ball this season and he will once again be crucial in their final game of the group.
Brief scores:
Mumbai 301 for 9 in 50 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 114; Pankaj Singh 4 for 55) lost to Rajasthan 305 for 5 in 49 overs (Rajat Bhatia 94*, Ashok Menaria 86; Abhishek Nayar 2 for 28) by 5 wickets.
