Published: Jan 12, 2017, 07:30 AM (IST)
Edited: Jan 12, 2017, 05:34 PM (IST)
Hello, good morning and welcome to CricketCountry’s live cricket blog and updates’ post of the third day’s play in the Ranji Trophy 2016-17 final, between Mumbai and Gujarat. The final of the Ranji Trophy is being played at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore, and this is Paulami Chakraborty bringing you the live cricket scores and updates from the third day’s play. What we have in the contest for the tournament decider is Gujarat, who are playing their first-ever final since 1950-51, giving the 41-time champion Mumbai a run for their money. Gujarat have taken a handy lead of 63 runs in the first innings, and it will be a tough ask for Mumbai to clinch the game in their favour.
Chirag Gandhi is batting on 17 off 54 balls with the help of 1 boundary, accompanied by Rush Kalaria, who is on 16 not out 39 balls with 2 boundaries. These two Gujarat batsmen will be under some pressure to solidify their innings, as they will be resuming their first innings at 291 for 6. On their part, Mumbai have so far played ordinary cricket and they will want to make amends and turn up with their A game to deny Gujarat from extending the advantage that they have taken.
In their first innings, Mumbai were bowled out for a paltry 228, which was never going to be a competitive total unless their bowlers produced magical spells. However, it was not the case and Mumbai now find themselves forced on the backfoot, with Gujarat looking good to get at least 100 or more runs as lead in their first innings.
Gujarat captain Parthiv Patel led from the front as he scored a fine 90, whereas Manprit Juneja scored a resolute 77. These two batsmen not only revived Gujarat from a precarious position, but their innings helped their side go past the total which Mumbai had accumulated in their first innings. Both the batsmen were unlucky as they missed out on their respective centuries, for which both looked deserving. Parthiv and Juneja added 120 runs for the fourth wicket, which is now the highest partnership for any wicket from either side in this Ranji Trophy final.
Earlier in the game, Mumbai could manage only 228 in their first innings, with the young Prithvi Shaw making waves. He scored a fine 71 whereas Suryakumar Yadav contributed with 57. Gujarat bowlers RP Singh, Chintan Gaja and Rujul Bhatt claimed 2 wickets each whereas Kalaria and Hardik Patel got one wicket each.
