Ajinkya Rahane’s Century and Royston Dias’ Five-Wicket Haul Propel Mumbai to Ranji Trophy Semifinals
In a thrilling encounter at Kolkata, Mumbai showcased their dominance in the Ranji Trophy, defeating Haryana by 152 runs. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane played a pivotal role, scoring a magnificent century, while Royston Dias delivered a stellar performance with the ball, taking five wickets.
Rahane’s Masterclass
Resuming his innings at 88, Rahane quickly reached his 41st first-class century, amassing 108 runs off 180 balls. His innings, studded with 13 boundaries, helped Mumbai set a challenging target of 354 runs for Haryana after they declared their second innings at 339.
Haryana’s Struggle
In response, Haryana faced relentless pressure, crumbling to 201 all out in 57.3 overs. Royston Dias was the star with the ball, claiming 5 wickets for just 39 runs, supported by Shardul Thakur, who picked up 3 wickets for 26 runs. This powerful bowling partnership dismantled Haryana’s batting order, ensuring a strong finish for Mumbai.
Key Partnerships
Despite a brief resistance from Lakshay Dalal (64) and Sumit Kumar (62), who added 90 runs for the sixth wicket, Haryana’s innings faltered. Rahane’s astute captaincy and timely bowling changes led to crucial breakthroughs, including a pivotal DRS call that dismissed Dalal, swinging momentum back to Mumbai.
Conclusion
With this commanding victory, Mumbai secured their place in the Ranji Trophy semifinals, underlining their status as defending champions. As cricket enthusiasts gear up for the next stage of the tournament, fans can check out exciting offers on Looffers.com to make the most of their cricket-watching experience!