The venue may have changed. So did the opposition. But the trend of Mumbai’s batting continued in the Ranji Trophy final against Vidarbha. The top-six caved in yet again before the lower order – led by the fearless Shardul Thakur – gave respectability to the total on a day dominated by bowlers.
Had it not been Shardul’s counter-attacking 75, Mumbai would have struggled to put on 224 after being inserted in to bat on Day One at the Wankhede Stadium. Him and Dhawal Kulkarni, featuring in his last match for Mumbai as injured Mohit Avasthi’s replacement, then left Vidarbha reeling at 31 for three at stumps.
The Mumbai essay was a remarkable session of two stints of batters’ domination on either side of bowling supremacy. Prithvi Shaw’s trademark cover-drives off Umesh Yadav and Bhupen Lalwani’s flicks through midwicket were a treat to the eyes as the Sunday crowd built up in anticipation of a run-feast.
