Ranji Trophy | Baroda in control against Mumbai

Baroda dominates Mumbai in Ranji Trophy tie with strong batting and bowling performances, aiming for rare outright win.

The festive vibe that has surrounded the cultural capital of Gujarat extended to the city outskirts as Baroda dominated the second day’s play of its season-opening Ranji Trophy tie against the defending champion Mumbai.

The lower order added vital 49 runs in the morning to help Baroda put on 290 runs on a turning track at the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium. The bowling unit – led by veteran left-arm spinner Bhargav Bhatt – then wound up Mumbai for 214 to take a handy 76-run lead.

Should Baroda top-order rectify its mistakes from the first innings, the host could be in with a chance of registering a rare outright win against Mumbai.

The day, however, belonged to the home team that celebrated the last day of the Navaratri festival. Captain Krunal Pandya’s tactics along with the coaching team worked to perfection when he and Bhargav – the left-arm spin duo – shared the new ball. Krunal sneaked through Prithvi Shaw’s defence before Ranji debutant Ayush Mhatre and Hardik Tamore saw off the morning session.

Mhatre appeared effortless for most parts, with his inside-out lofted drive off left-arm spin and the ability to rotate strike being a standout feature. Just after pumping his fist after raising his maiden fifty, the 17-year-old miscued a pull shot off to end a promising innings.

Tamore and captain Ajinkya Rahane then continued the march effortlessly until Mumbai lost three wickets for one run in 18 balls.

Tamore (inside-edge onto the pad), Rahane (Jyotsnil Singh pulling off a stunner at silly point, pouching a well-timed cut) and Shreyas Iyer (caught behind off a beauty by Bhatt that turned and rose sharply) departed to leave Mumbai reeling at 141 for five.