Pandit disappointed at Mumbai’s catching

"Catches always matter. I am very disappointed at our catching today. We put down sitters," Pandit, Mumbai's coach, after dropped catches on the second day of the Ranji Trophy semifinal in Tangi.

Rajat Patidar (left) was Madhya Pradesh's third of five wickets to fall on the second day. It could have been worse for them had there had not been dropped catches.

Naman Ojha, the most successful batsman for Madhya Pradesh on Day Two of the ongoing Ranji Trophy semifinal against Mumbai, has said his batting against the Mumbai attack on the surface here was not easy. “They are a very experienced side and know where to bowl. They were bowling on a good length.”

He added, “We know it is a big game but we are trying to stay relaxed.”

>Report of a closely fought Day Two of the second semifinal between Mumbai and Madhya Pradesh

Ojha said the match was 60 percent in Mumbai’s favour after the second day. “I’ve played a lot of cricket so I know,” he said.

The gap between the two sides could have been wider has Mumbai’s fielders had not dropped catches. One of them, off Harpreet Singh, bruised the middle finger on the left hand of Mumbai’s prolific batsman, Shreyas Iyer. Mumbai’s coach Chandrakant Pandit informed Iyer’s finger was not too badly hurt. “It doesn’t appear serious. He should be all right and be available for the second innings,” he said.

Pandit was unhappy with Mumbai’s catching. “Catches always matter. I am very disappointed at our catching today. We put down sitters.”

He felt Mumbai’s glorious past in the Ranji Trophy should inspire the present bunch.