INDORE: Defending champion Mumbai edge ahead Gujarat on the third day of Ranji Trophy final courtesy 127-run stand between Shreyas Iyer (82) and Suryakumar Yadav (45 not out).
At close of the third day play here at Indore’s Holkar Stadium, Mumbai were 208 for loss of three wickets with Suryakumar Yadav and skipper Aditya Tare at the middle scoring 45 and 13 runs respectively.
With a likely of 180 overs still to be played, Mumbai hold the edge over Gujarat, having stretched their lead to 108, and will look to bat the bulk of the penultimate day and then put Gujarat under pressure.
Earlier in the morning session, Mumbai bowlers came out well as they bowled out opposition four 328 with Shardul Thakur taking 4 wickets in the innings for Mumbai.
Gujarat, who made a first innings lead of 100 runs, were boosted by a captain’s knock from Parthiv Patel, who smashed 90 on Day 2 and well supported by Manprit Juneja (77), but rest of the batsmen failed to maximise their advantage.
Trailing 100 runs behind, openers provided good start to Mumbai as Prithvi Shaw, the flamboyant young Mumbai opener took the game away from Gujarat in no time.
He scored 44 of just 35 balls with eight boundaries. Opening pair shared 54 runs in 9.1 overs.
Chintan Gaja brought first success for Gujarat in 9.2 over of the innings as he removed Akhil Herwadkar for 16.
Four overs later, he strikes once again and this time he sent back Shaw. Losing two wickets in a quick succession, Shreyas Iyer (82) and Suryakumar Yadav (45) joined the fort and added 127 runs for third wicket to bring back their team into the game.
Gaja once again brought much needed breakthrough for his team just before end of the day as he scalped wicket of Iyer. At end, skipper Aditya Tare and Yadav on the crease and they already added 15 runs for fourth wicket.
BRIEF SCORES – DAY III
MUMBAI - 228 and 208/3 (Shreyas Iyer 82; Chintan Gaja 3-54) lead GUJARAT - 328 (Parthiv Patel 90; Shardul Thakur 4-34) by 108 runs.
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