Aditya Tare & Co fail to recover after Prithvi Shaw's exit; defending champions unable to keep Gujarat down on Day 1 of Ranji Trophy final
Prithvi Shaw, Suryakumar Yadav
Mumbai’s Prithvi walks back after scoring 71 runs vs Gujarat in the Ranji final at Indore yesterday. Pic/Prakash Parsekar
At 97 for two when lunch was called, Mumbai were scoring at a good rate. But then, a clinical Gujarat bowling attack shot down the defending champions for 228 on Day One of the Ranji Trophy final at the Holkar Stadium in Indore yesterday. Young Prithvi Shaw top scored for Mumbai with 71. Suryakumar Yadav (57) too found himself amongst runs. For Gujarat, RP Singh, Chintan Gaja and Rujul Bhatt picked two wickets each.
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Gujarat unhurt
In reply, Gujarat were two without loss when stumps were drawn. Opener Samit Gohel was dropped by Shaw at first slip off pacer Shardul Thakur's first delivery in the innings. After a shoddy batting performance, Mumbai's head coach Chandrakant Pandit was an unhappy man but expects his bowlers to play a big role today. "Naturally, we will have to bowl them out before they get to 200. That is what we will be aiming for. The first hour will be crucial. We have to get the wickets we need. We should have got one today," said Pandit after the day's play.
Mumbai’s Suryakumar celebrates his fifty. Pic/Prakash Parsekar
Mumbai made two changes to its semi-final-winning squad. Fit-again opener Akhil Herwadkar replaced Praful Waghela and off-spinner Akshay Girap made way for left-arm spinner Vishal Dabholkar.
Playing only his second first-class game, 17-year-old Prithvi's innings was the only high point in an otherwise dull day for Mumbai. His on-drives, cover drives and crisp square drives en route his half-century would have pleased all class acts who paraded their skills in this city during the golden years of the national championships.
Prithvi was unbeaten on 70 at lunch, but after the break faced only three deliveries before getting run out on 71 through a major mix-up between him and Suryakumar. It was Suryakumar who prodded the ball to the off side and called his partner for a misjudged single. Prithvi was hesitant and by the time the throw was made to wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel, Prithvi was well short, bringing an end to his promising 93-ball 71. That was the start as Mumbai batsmen fell like dominoes. They lost four wickets for 82 runs in the second session.
RP leads the way
Gujarat's attack was helmed firmly by former India pacer Singh (2-48), who made the difference after lunch. Newcomer Gaja, who played only two first-class games earlier and off-break bowler Rujul Bhatt also bowled well to ensure the wickets column was kept ticking. Pacer Harsh Kalaria and left-arm spinner Hardik Patel took one wicket apiece. "RP's experience is vital for our bowlers. During the break he spoke to our bowlers and discussed the plan of how to bowl to specific batsmen," said Gujarat coach Vijay Patel yesterday. Earlier, Herwadkar was trapped leg before for 13. Shreyas Iyer too failed to capitalise on his 34-ball 14. Abhishek Nayar (35) was the lone soldier at the end of the innings.
Lad, the victim
A sour moment for Mumbai would be the dismissal of Siddhesh Lad. The youngster attempted a hook off Singh, but had no contact with the ball. Yet, he was adjudged caught behind by umpire AK Chaudhary for 23. Lad could be forgiven for his delayed exit.
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