Mumbai took the field against less-fancied Jammu & Kashmir in their Ranji Trophy opener yesterday with as many as three debutants. However, the 40-time champions were soon given a reality check after the Mumbai batters put up a spineless show to crash to 236 at the stroke of tea on Day One at the Wankhede Stadium. Waseem Raza (3-29) and vice-captain Ram Dayal (3-51) were the pick of the bowlers for J&K.


Mumbai skipper Suryakumar Yadav is bowled by J&K's Waseem Raza at the Wankhede yesterday. Yadav top-scored for Mumbai with 57. Pic/Atul Kamble 

J&K, who progressed to the elite group this season, ensured it was a fruitful first day, scoring 88 for one at stumps. It seemed a good toss to win for Mumbai after debutants Kevin Almeida (19) and Bravish Shetty put up a half-century stand for the first wicket. The decision to send the duo at the top and make regular opener Aditya Tare bat at No 4 also seemed to be paying off but once Shetty (35) was caught and bowled by Dayal, there was no shortage of success for the opposition bowlers.