At the halfway stage of the first-ever Ranji Trophy contest between these two coastal cities, Goa have a complete stranglehold over a rather embarrassed Mumbai. Unless Mumbai stage the sort of fightback they're known for, Goa's dream of pulling off what would be a famous win over the 41-time Ranji Trophy champions looks set to turn into reality.
After wrecking Mumbai's batting line-up with the ball by taking six for 46 on Day One, Goa seamer Lakshay Garg hurt them with the bat on Day Two. Buoyed by half-centuries by 'keeper-bat Eknath Kerkar (71, 148b, 6x4), who used to play for Mumbai earlier, and Garg (59, 86b, 7x4, 2x6), Goa took a substantial 164-run lead over Mumbai on Day Two of their Ranji Trophy Group D encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Resuming at 114 for two, Goa stumbled initially, but after going past Mumbai's 163, they rode on Kerkar and Garg's 96-run partnership in 144 balls for the eighth wicket to put up 327. With the onus now on him and the other batsmen to wipe off Goa's lead in quick time, skipper Prithvi Shaw was quickly off the blocks, but Mumbai's comeback hopes in this game received a jolt when he fell lbw while trying to sweep left-arm spinner Darshan Misal for 44 (47b, 6x4, 1x6). After hitting a six, he had earlier been beaten twice while trying to play the same shot.
Having got out for 1 & 9 in his previous two innings of the Ranji Trophy so far, Shaw looked good before perishing as Mumbai finished at 57 for one at stumps, still trailing by 107 runs.
The lone light shining for Mumbai with the ball was left-arm spinner Shams Mulani, who, following up on his match haul of 11 for 169 in the opening game against Saurashtra, bowled his heart out to return fine figures of six for 107 after toiling for 36. 4 overs.
