Ranji Trophy | Avasthi and Deshpande help Mumbai wrest back control over Karnataka

Avasthi and Deshpande's stellar bowling propels Mumbai to a strong position against Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal.

After a dismal batting show let Mumbai down in the first innings of the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal against Karnataka, not many would’ve imagined that the 42-time champion would eventually stage a comeback.

But Mohit Avasthi (four for 27) and Tushar Deshpande (four for 33) once again proved why the Mumbai cricketers are called ‘khadoos’. True to their reputation, the Mumbai fast bowlers refused to give up and bundled out Karnataka for just 173, limiting the deficit to 53 runs.

Karnataka, cruising at 110 for two at one point, looked set for a big total before Deshpande and Avasthi made the most of the conditions at the MCA-BKC ground on Saturday to trigger a collapse. Karnataka lost eight wickets for just 63 runs, and was folded up in just 127 minutes to allow Mumbai bounce back in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal

Deshpande, left, is overjoyed after removing Agarwal. | Photo Credit: EMMANUAL YOGINI

Coming on the back of a five-wicket haul against Delhi in the last league game, Avasthi maintained good line and length and unsettled the Karnataka middle-order before Deshpande tightened the noose.

Despite wickets tumbling at the other end, Mayank Agarwal (92, 134b, 14x4, 1x6) did put up a fight and challenged the Mumbai bowlers before missing out on a century as he was caught at second slip by Siddhesh Lad off a nippy Deshpande delivery.