Ranji Trophy Final: Ajinkya Rahane and Musheer Khan put Mumbai in the driver’s seat on Day 2 Stumps
Mumbai currently has a 260-run lead against Vidarbha in the Ranji Trophy final.
Mumbai: India thrower Ajinkya Rahane hit a timely unbeaten half-century as Mumbai took a huge 260-run lead against Vidarbha during the second day of the ongoing Ranji Trophy final on Monday. Besides Rahane, young Musheer Khan is also batting at the age of 51 and is negotiating the opposition’s attack with utmost patience and precision. Mumbai are aiming for their record 42nd Ranji Trophy title. After being bowled out for 224 in the first innings on Day 1, Mumbai came roaring back on the second day when they bowled out Vidarbha for just 105.
In the second innings, Mumbai lost Prithvi Shaw and Bhupen Lalwani cheaply before Musheer and Rahane shared an unbeaten 107-run stand to put their team in the driver’s seat. Old warhorse Rahane and Musheer were clinical as they frustrated the opposition for over three hours to ensure the game tilted heavily in their favor when stumps were drawn.
Rahane, who has averaged just 12 runs this season, started cautiously but grew in confidence and brought up only his second fifty of the tournament, reaching 58 off 109 balls with the help of four boundaries and a six. At the other end, Musheer continued to deploy on the front foot, meeting most deliveries with a dead bat and consuming 134 balls for his unbeaten 51 with three fours.
The two right-handers took their time building the unbeaten third wicket stand in 232 balls. However, the story could have been different had Rahane not taken the DRS against Harsh Dubey. Rahane was awarded LBW by the umpire, but the DRS showed that the ball had kissed the inside edge of the bat before hitting the pads.
Musheer followed the team’s instructions to the tee by dropping anchor, exhausting the opposition bowlers. To add more misery to Vidarbha, top spinner Aditya Sarwate did not bowl to his potential due to injury. Earlier, Vidarbha showed no conviction or game plan as they were bowled out for just 105 in their first essay. The lack of initiative was clearly visible as Vidarbha failed to cross sufficient boundaries and could not rotate the strike.
Short scores: Mumbai 224 and 141/2 in 50 overs (Musheer Khan 51 batting, Ajinkya Rahane 58 batting; Yash Thakur 1/25) lead Vidarbha 105 in 45.3 overs (Yash Rathod 27; Dhawal Kulkarni 3/15, Shams Mulani 3/32 , Tanush Kotian 3/7) with 260 runs.