Ranji Trophy: Deshpande stars for Mumbai; Punjab’s Gill flops

Mumbai’s Tushar Deshpande against Himachal Pradesh on Sunday. Pic/MCA

Mumbai closed in on a crucial first-innings lead against Himachal Pradesh after pacer Tushar Deshpande's four-wicket haul helped bowl out the hosts for 140 on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Group D match here on Sunday.

Mumbai reached 107 for two in 36 overs at stumps, needing just 33 more runs to take the lead with eight wickets in hand.

Deshpande returned figures of 4 for 46, exploiting the early conditions to trouble the Himachal batters. His efforts saw the hosts bundled out in 39.5 overs. Musheer Khan (34 not out) and skipper Siddhesh Lad's (32 not out) patient 75-run partnership put Mumbai within touching distance of the lead.

Meanwhile, India skipper Shubman Gill's return to domestic cricket lasted only five balls, scoring just one run, but Punjab captain Uday Saharan's unbeaten 106 led the hosts to 269 for four against Chhattisgarh in Mullanpur.

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