The indomitable spirit of Mumbai’s cricket and some of its power and grace were on ample display on the opening day of its Ranji Trophy cricket match against Kerala.
The contrasting styles of the gritty Tanush Kotian (56), the powerful Shivam Dube (51) and the graceful Bhupen Lalwani (50) carried Mumbai to a respectable 251 at the end of the opening day’s play at the St. Xavier’s College ground here on Friday.
As in the previous two matches, Kotian added useful runs with the lower order to prop up the innings. Shreyas Gopal relished the bouncy track and zipped in his googlies to snare four for 28. However, it was Basil Thampi’s opening burst with the new ball which put Mumbai on the backfoot.
