Ranji Trophy 2016-17 Quarter-Finals, Day 3 report and highlights: Mumbai’s lead surges to 116 against Hyderabad

Aditya Tare and Praful Waghela’s unbeaten 50-run stand towards the end of the third day helped Mumbai extend their lead in the second innings to 116, against Hyderabad in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2016-17 quarter-final. Mumbai were 107 for 3, having recovered from early blows that left them struggling at 52 for 3 at one stage. Tare was batting on 39, whereas Waghela reached 27 off 88 balls to consolidate Mumbai in the all-important ongoing clash at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur. The 41-times Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai had earlier taken a slender lead of 14 runs in the first innings.

Batting first, Mumbai managed 294 with Siddhesh Lad top-scoring with 110. Mumbai captain Tare scored 73, whereas Abhishek Nayar contributed with 59 runs as they managed a competitive total in the first innings. It was important for Mumbai to keep their noses ahead, which they managed to after bowling Hyderabad out for 280 in the first innings, taking a slender but vital first-innings lead. For Hyderabad, opener Tanmay Agarwal top-scored with 82, whereas S Badrinath scored 56. Nayar was the pick of the bowlers for Mumbai with 4 for 60, while Vijay Gohil impressed with 3 for 59 off his 23 overs. Pacer Shardul Thakur claimed 2 for 45.

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In reply, Mumbai made a shaky start. Kevin Almeida got stuck in the crease and could not find ways to score runs. He was cleaned up by Hyderabad pacer Chama Milind for a 25-ball 1. Mumbai suffered another blow soon when the dashing Shreyas Iyer fell for 12, and Suryakumar Yadav was removed for 3. Both these batsmen were dismissed by Mohammed Siraj.

Tare and Waghela then join-forced to resist the Hyderabad bowlers. They batted for a little more than 13 overs in the final session and added 50 crucial runs, taking Mumbai’s overall lead past 100.

Brief scores:

Mumbai 294 and 107 for 3 (Praful Waghela 27*, Aditya Tare 29*; Mohammed Siraj 2 for 36) lead Hyderabad 280 (Tanmay Agarwal 82, S Badrinath 56; Abhishek Nayar 4 for 60) by 116 runs.