Ranji Trophy 2024-25, Day 2: Baroda bowlers shine as Mumbai folds for 214 after Mhatre’s maiden fifty

The Baroda bowling unit – led by veteran left-arm spinner Bhargav Bhatt – bundled Mumbai out for 214 to take a handy 76-run lead.

Baroda’s Bhargav Bhatt in action. (File Photo) | Photo Credit: EMMANUAL YOGINI

The festive atmosphere surrounding Gujarat’s cultural capital extended to the outskirts of the city as Baroda dominated the second day of its season-opening Ranji Trophy match against defending champions Mumbai.

Baroda’s lower order contributed a vital 49 runs in the morning session, helping the team post a total of 290 on a turning track at the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium. The bowling unit, led by veteran left-arm spinner Bhargav Bhatt, then bundled Mumbai out for 214, securing a handy 76-run lead. If Baroda’s top order can rectify its first-innings mistakes, the team has a real chance of securing a rare outright victory against the domestic powerhouse.

The day belonged to the home side, which was also celebrating the final day of the Navaratri festival. Captain Krunal Pandya’s tactics, supported by the coaching team, worked to perfection as he and Bhatt, the left-arm spin duo, shared the new ball. Krunal broke through early, sneaking a delivery through the defences of a cautious Prithvi Shaw, before Ranji debutant Ayush Mhatre and Hardik Tamore saw off the morning session.

Mhatre looked composed for most of his innings, with his inside-out lofted drive off the left-arm spin and his ability to rotate the strike standing out. However, just after celebrating his maiden fifty with a fist pump, the 17-year-old miscued a pull shot off a long hop, bringing an end to his promising knock.

Tamore and captain Ajinkya Rahane then continued to march on steadily until Mumbai lost three wickets for one run in the space of 18 balls. Tamore fell after inside-edging onto his pad, Rahane followed soon after when Jyotsnil Singh took a stunning catch at silly point, intercepting a well-timed cut shot. Shreyas Iyer was then caught behind off a beauty from Bhatt that turned and rose sharply, leaving Mumbai struggling at 141 for five.

Left-arm pacer Akash Singh then ensured Mumbai’s famed lower order offered little resistance. Introduced into the attack in the 44th over, Akash bowled a yorker that Siddhesh Lad played onto his stumps, followed by an inswinger that rattled Tanush Kotian’s woodwork. He fittingly ended the innings by forcing Shardul Thakur to whip one to deep midwicket.

Scorecard

Baroda – 1st innings

Jyotsnil Singh c Mulani Avasthi 10, Shivalik Sharma b Thakur 0, Shashwat Rawat c Shaw b Kotian 25, Vishnu Solanki lbw b Mulani 18, Krunal Pandya c Tamore b Kotian 21, Mitesh Patel c Rahane b Mulani 86, Atit Sheth lbw b Mulani 66, Raj Limbani c Tamore b Kotian 30, Mahesh Pithiya lbw b Thakur 4, Bhargav Bhatt (not out) 7, Akash Singh c Rahane b Kotian 10; Extras (b-7, lb-6): 13; Total (All out in 103.1 overs): 290.

Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-15, 3-49, 4-71, 5-90, 6-220, 7-261, 8-270, 9-278.

Mumbai bowling: Thakur 20-4-49-2, Avasthi 10-2-17-1, Mulani 37-5-111-3, Kotian 24.1-1-61-4, Himanshu. 12-1-39-0.

Mumbai – 1st innings

Prithvi Shaw b Krunal 7, Ayush Mhatre c & b Bhatt 52, Hardik Tamore c Jyotsnil b Pithiya 40, Ajinkya Rahane c Jyotsnil b Bhatt 29, Shreyas Iyer c sub b Bhatt 0, Siddhesh Lad b Akash 8, Shams Mulani b Pithiya 16, Shardul Thakur c Pithiya b Akash 27, Tanush Kotian b Akash 1, Mohit Avasthi c & b Bhatt 14, Himanshu Singh (not out) 0; Extras (b-8, lb-12): 20; Total (All out in 62.2 overs): 214.

Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-83, 3-140, 4-140, 5-141, 6-169, 7-181, 8-185, 9-212.

Baroda bowling: Krunal 13-1-47-1, Bhatt 21-3-53-4, Sheth 3-0-16-0, Limbani 1-0-4-0, Pithiya 17-2-55-2, Akash 7.2-0-19-3.

Baroda – 2nd innings

Jyotsnil Singh (batting) 3, Raj Limbani (batting) 2; Extras (b-4): 4; Total (for no loss, 2 overs): 9.

Mumbai bowling: Mulani 1-0-2-0, Kotian 1-0-3-0.