Ranji Trophy 2015-16: Iqbal Abdulla and Shardul Thakur joint hands in Mumbai’s 3 wicket win against MP

Ranji Trophy 2015-16: Iqbal Abdulla and Shardul Thakur joint hands in Mumbai's 3 wicket win against MP.

Indore: Iqbal Abdulla (39) and Shardul Thakur (38) held nerves under intense pressure as they raised an unbeaten 68-run stand lower down the order to lead Mumbai to stunning come-from-behind victory over Madhya Pradesh, here today. Chasing a tricky 280, Mumbai were staring down the barrel at 215 for seven when Abdulla and Thakur joined forces. They showed nerves of steel and eked out a match-winning partnership.Mumbai ended at 283 for seven with one full day to spare, walking away with six full points. It was a tremendous comeback by the visitors who had conceded first innings lead of 78 runs. Mumbai lost opener Akhil Herwadkar in the seventh ball of the day but other opener Jay Bista (74) and Shreyas Iyer (36) added 99 runs for the second wicket. ALSO READ: Madhya Pradesh set Mumbai 280 runs to win Ranji Trophy 2015-16 Group B encounter

Things looked rosy for Mumbai before the match dramatically turned even with Mumbai losing wicket after wicket. It was MP’s first innings hero Jalaj Saxena, who again rocked Mumbai batting order with four wickets but eventually Mumbai had the last laugh. Mumbai skipper Aditya Tare (45) also played a good hand in his side’s success. ALSO READ: Mumbai trump Railways by 6 wickets in Ranji Trophy 2015-16 Group B match

Brief Scores: Madhya Pradesh 240 & 201 in 71.2 overs.(J Saxena 79, D Bundela 42; S Thakur 3 for 33), Mumbai 162 and 283 for 7 in 73.3 overs(J Bista 74, Aditya Tare 45, I Abdulla 39 not out; J Saxena 4 for 89).