Mulani’s four-wicket move helped Mumbai sack Saurashtra for 289, but lost openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Prithvi Shaw before fumbled on day one in Mumbai.
Arpit Vasavada’s crisp half-century saved Saurashtra’s blush on the opening day of the third round of the Ranji Trophy Group B clash with Mumbai here on the ground at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy on Tuesday.
Away from the venue last week but closing in on Mumbai’s first innings lead of 641 against Hyderabad, acting captain Vasavada’s stoic 75 (155b, 9×4) of his 75 (155b, 9×4) put Saurashtra on a respectable 289. and shook up the home side’s opening game early on.
Left-handed sailor Chetan Sakarya, who provided Saurashtra with a new ball in the absence of regular skipper Jaydev Unadkat, cleared Prithvi Shaw in the first over. Chirag Jani hit from the other side on the next over. He removed a performing Yashasvi Jaiswal (2) as Mumbai fell 2-36 in stumps.
Previously, Saurashtra was thrown a curve ball after deciding to go first. Mumbai sailors Tushar Deshpande and Mohit Avasthe clipped him to 3-for-73 and he helped cause a Jay Gohill run out in the opener. However, Sheldon Jackson and vasavada avoided imminent collapse with a short 54-run streak for the fourth wicket, the only partnership of more than 50 in Saurashtra’s innings.