Mumbai celebrated Diwali in style at the Cricket Club of India&rsquo;s Brabourne Stadium on Thursday as the 42-time champions outclassed Railways by 106 runs in their Elite Group D Ranji Trophy match.
The victory was Mumbai&rsquo;s fourth successive outright win under skipper <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/ranji-trophy-skipper-siddhesh-lad-expresses-confidence-in-mumbai-team-23654081" rel="nofollow">Siddhesh Lad</a>, helping them consolidate their position at the top with 27 points.
Chasing 372, Railways were bowled out for 265 in their second innings, thanks to a splendid bowling and fielding effort from the hosts. All three spinners &mdash; <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/ranji-trophy-shams-mulani-optimistic-about-chances-of-making-the-cut-in-national-team-23654950" rel="nofollow">Shams Mulani</a> (4-69), Musheer Khan (3-42), and Tanush Kotian (2-93) &mdash; played their part in securing the win.
Resuming at 157-5 after tea on the final day, Railways were fighting hard, with opener Eshaan Goyal (103, 11x4, 1x6) and No. 7 Zubair Ali (115, 14x4, 5x6) at the crease. It appeared the visitors might hold on for a draw. However, Mumbai claimed the last five wickets for just 15 runs in 12 overs.
The turning point came when Sarfaraz Khan produced a spectacular one-handed diving catch to his right off younger brother Musheer&rsquo;s bowling, ending Goyal&rsquo;s 167-run sixth-wicket stand with Zubair. In his next over, Musheer induced Zubair into attempting a big hit, but the batter found Suryansh Shedge at mid-off, who took a good running catch. Left-arm spinner Mulani then dismissed Toufik Mondal (12), with Kotian taking a sharp, low catch at short cover.
Earlier, Mumbai declared their second innings at 234-4 after <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/ranji-trophy-brabourne-feels-like-home-for-us-mumbais-divyaansh-saxena-23658033" rel="nofollow">Divyaansh Saxena</a> (100 not out, 8x4, 1x6) scored his maiden century.
Lad later told mid-day that Sarfaraz&rsquo;s fielding effort was special: &ldquo;What Sarfaraz did was outstanding. He&rsquo;s a special fielder. He had dropped a catch earlier, but wanted to do something for the team. It was an absolutely special effort&rdquo;&nbsp;
Explaining the team&rsquo;s strategy when Railways appeared to be gaining momentum, Lad added: &ldquo;We were just trying to slow the game down a little because the momentum was with them. We always felt we were just one wicket away. When a new batsman comes in, it is never easy to settle immediately.&rdquo;
Mumbai will now travel to Kolkata for their Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 campaign, beginning on November 14.
Brief scores Mumbai 396 all out &amp; 234-4d (D Saxena 100*; T Mondal 3-43) beat Railways 259 all out &amp; 265 all out (Z Ali Khan 115, E Goyal 103; S Mulani 4-69, M Khan 3-42, T Kotian 2-93) by 106 runs

Musheer picks 3-42 as spinners have field day, while Sarfaraz comes up with a stunning catch to help Mumbai beat Railways for 4th straight outright win

Khans’s Diwali gift to Mumbai! Musheer and Sarfaraz shine in Ranji win

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Home / Sports / Cricket / Article / Khans’s Diwali gift to Mumbai! Musheer and Sarfaraz shine in Ranji win

Khans’s Diwali gift to Mumbai! Musheer and Sarfaraz shine in Ranji win

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