Saurashtra take firm grip over match against Mumbai in Ranji Trophy

Rajkot, Nov 25 (UNI) Saurashtra took firm grip over Mumbai as the visitors were skittled out for 214 in their first essay, replying to the host's first innings total of 643 for four declared, on the penultimate day of the four-day super league Ranji match at the Madhavrao Scindia cricket stadium here today.

Mumbai were still in arrears of 429 runs and Saurashtra will have a chance to bowl them out tomorrow, the last day, to register an outright victory, after enforcing the follow-on.

Hosts declared their first innings at the overnight score of 643 for four.

Debutant left-arm medium pacer Balkrishna Jadeja cut down visitors' top order batting with his steady, accurate bowling as they were reeling at 54 for five. Four wickets were accounted by Balkrishna Jadeja.

Debutant Jadeja, in his first over and team's second over, dismissed prolific batsman Ajinkya Rahne for a duck, trapped him lbw while facing first delivery of Jadeja, who also removed Sahil Kukreja (4), Amol Mazumdar (zero) and bowled captain Wasim Jaffer for his individual 12.

Jadeja took full advantage of a wicket, which has helped in swing bowling in the morning session of first hour and took four wickets.

However, some resistance from Hiken Shah (47), Sairaj Bahutule (42) and tail enders Usman Malvi (56) and Dhaval Kulkarni (19), who put on 72 runs for the tenth wicket, enabled Mumbai reach 214 runs.

Spinners Kamlesh Makwana and Ravindra Jadeja shared two wicket each by conceding 32 and 62 runs respectively while medium pacer Sandeep Jobanputra took one wicket for 36 runs.

If Saurashtra register the victory, they will emerge at top on the point tables, having 15 points from nine matches.

Mumbai have 14 points so far.

BRIEF SCORE: Saurashtra (Ist Innings) 643 for four declared.

Mumbai Ist Innings 214 (Hiken Shah 47, Vinayak Samant 19, Sairaj Bahutule 42, Usman Malvi 56 and Dhaval Kulkarni not out19, Balkrishna Jadeja four for 41, S Jobanputra one for 36, K Makwana two for 32 and Ravindra Jadeja two for 62) UNI AV AB PY AS1857