A rejuvenated Mumbai outclassed pre-match favourite Delhi by 204 runs in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinals here at the DRIEMS College ground on Friday while renewing its pursuit for the title that it has claimed 40 times.
Showing the character and the class that makes it the most accomplished side in the Ranji history, Mumbai turned the tables on the in-form Delhi side with a fine batting display in the second innings, and backed it up with disciplined bowling to wrap up the win.
Delhi lost the plot midway in the match as it failed to consolidate after bowling out Mumbai for a paltry 156 in the first innings. Then, the bowling faltered in the face of a gritty Mumbai fight-back that saw the side amassing 450 runs in the second innings, setting up a target of 441 runs.
Delhi just collapsed in a heap against the aggression and accuracy of the Mumbai pace battery.
As Delhi resumed on 110 for four, Manan Sharma departed in the fifth over of the day. Delhi looked to Virender Sehwag for deliverance but the owner of over 17,000 international runs flattered to deceive after making an explosive start. Sehwag was clean-bowled trying to shoulder arms to a slower one from Balwinder Sandhu after making 19, which included four delightful boundaries.
With the dismissals of wicketkeeper Rahul Yadav (13) and Rajat Bhatia (49), it was all over for Delhi.
The scores:
Mumbai — 1st innings: 156.
Delhi — 1st innings: 166.
Mumbai — 2nd innings: 450.
Delhi — 2nd innings: Unmukt Chand b Mota 31, Gautam Gambhir lbw b Thakur 34, Shivam Sharma lbw b Mota 0, Rajat Bhatia b Harmeet Singh 49, Mithun Manhas c Tare b Shardul 0, Manan Sharma c Lad b Thakur 16, Virender Sehwag b Sandhu 19, Rahul Yadav c Patil b Sandhu 13, Sumit Narwal c & b Harmeet Singh 9, Pradeep Sangwan (not out) 26, Parvinder Awana c Yadav b Sandhu 24, Extras (nb-6, w-1, b-6, lb 2) 15; Total (in 87 overs) 236.
Fall of wickets: 1-56, 2-56, 3-92, 4-92, 5-117, 6-150, 7-172, 8-172, 9-199.
Mumbai bowling: Shardul Thakur 24-10-59-3, Balwinder Singh Sandhu 17-6-35-3, Wilkin Mota 15-5-55-2, Abhishek Nayar 5-1-11-0, Harmeet Singh 20-8-55-2, Siddhesh Lad 4-2-9-0, Surya Kumar Yadav 2-1-4-0.
