Ranji Trophy: Shardul and Rahane Propel Mumbai Forward; Dogra Sparks J&K’s Remarkable Comeback (Roundup)

New Delhi, Feb 10 (NationPress) The reigning champions Mumbai made significant progress towards clinching a semifinal berth at Eden Gardens, concluding Day 3 with a formidable 292-run advantage over Haryana. Shardul Thakur's impressive six-wicket haul (6/58) during the morning session limited Haryana to a total of 301, just 14 runs shy of Mumbai’s first-innings score.

This marked Shardul's 15th five-wicket haul in first-class cricket, showcasing his knack for coming through in pivotal moments.

Shardul dismantled Haryana's batting lineup with four of his six wickets falling in the morning session, effectively breaking their resistance. Starting the day at 263/5, Haryana aimed for a substantial total, but Shardul’s early breakthrough, dismissing overnight batter Rohit Sharma in his first over, shifted momentum. With the new ball in hand, he swiftly took down the lower order, sending the last four batsmen back to the pavilion in rapid succession, thus securing Mumbai's dominance.

Although Mumbai lost opener Akash Anand (10) and Ayush Mhatre (31) early in their second innings, seasoned players Suryakumar Yadav (70) and Ajinkya Rahane (88*) steadied the innings with a vital 129-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Suryakumar's trademark 'supla' shot delighted the crowd before he was bowled out by Anuj Thakral. Shivam Dube (30*) ended the day in partnership with Rahane.

Previously, Siddhesh Lad (43) and Rahane formed a steady 52-run partnership for the third wicket until Jayant Yadav dismissed Lad, who fell just short of a fifty. Haryana's bowlers struggled on a flat pitch, as Rahane and Suryakumar found boundaries with ease, keeping the scoreboard ticking.

Shardul’s morning heroics, taking five wickets and limiting Haryana to just 38 runs added to their overnight score, placed Mumbai firmly in control and well on their way to a semifinal appearance.

Gujarat Pushes Saurashtra to the Edge

In Rajkot, Saurashtra faces a daunting challenge after Gujarat amassed a colossal 511 runs. Centuries from Jaymeet Patel (103) and Urvil Patel (140) have put the hosts in a difficult position, extending Gujarat’s lead to 262 runs.

At the end of the day, Saurashtra was at 33 for 0.

Urvil Patel, renowned for his powerful hitting in T20 cricket, demonstrated his adaptability with a composed century in just his ninth first-class match. Resuming their innings at 427/6, Gujarat added 84 runs with Manan Hingrajia (83) providing essential support. Patel was dismissed for 140, while Dharmendrasinh Jadeja finished with 5 for 120.

Vidarbha Takes the Lead Against Tamil Nadu

In Nagpur, despite Tamil Nadu's efforts to stay competitive, Vidarbha maintains a significant advantage. After surrendering a 128-run first-innings lead, Tamil Nadu's bowlers regained some ground, limiting Vidarbha to 169/5 at stumps, narrowing the lead to 297.

Key dismissals, including that of in-form Karun Nair, offered Tamil Nadu a sliver of hope. Yash Rathod (55*) and Harsh Dubey (29*) ensured no further losses, but with two full days remaining, Vidarbha is optimistic about out-batting Tamil Nadu.

J&K Makes a Strong Comeback Against Kerala

J&K turned the tide against Kerala in Alur with a robust batting performance after initially trailing by a slim margin. Kerala, beginning the day down by 80 runs, managed to take a 1-run lead, thanks to a remarkable last-wicket partnership of 81 led by Salman Nizar’s exceptional 112*.

However, J&K responded impressively, led by veteran Paras Dogra (73*), who anchored the innings. Dogra, after a challenging season, found his form at a crucial time, guiding J&K to 179/3 by the end of the day, establishing a commanding 179-run lead. With seven wickets in hand, they are well-positioned to take control on Day 4.