INDORE: Abhishek Nayar once again proved why he is priceless for the Mumbai Ranji team as his gallant 91 runs knock helped defending champions to set fighting total before Gujarat.

Mumbai, trailing 100 runs behind, scored total 412 runs in their second innings setting target of 312 runs on the fourth day of the Ranji Trophy being played here at Indore’s Holkar Stadium.

At stumps day, Gujarat chasing stiff target scored 47 for no loss in 13.2 remaining overs of the day. At close, Priyank Panchal (34 batting) and Samit Gohil (8 batting) were in the middle. On the fifth and final day of the game, Gujarat needs another 265 runs with all 10 wickets intact. For Gujarat, while the target would be to win outright, they would not mind if they could bat through the day as the first innings lead would ensure them their maiden Ranji Trophy.

In Panchal (1310 runs), they have an in-form player while Gohil, during his 359, had shown that he can hang around. It will be interesting to see if Gujarat employ defensive technique or go for the chase and the fifth day promises to be an intriguing one.

For Mumbai, besides Abhishek, other significant contributors includes Shreyas Iyer scored 82, while Prithvi Shaw scored 44 on the third day of game, while on the penultimate day captain Aditya Tare (69) and Surya Kumar Yadav (49, 215 balls) played an innings, contrary to his attacking style of batsmanship. For Gujarat, seamer Chintan Gaja scalped six wickets conceding 121 runs.

BRIEF SCORES – DAY IV

MUMBAI – 228 all out and 412 all out (P Shaw 44, S Iyer 82, S Yadav 49, A Tare 69, A Nayar 91; C Gaja 6/121); GUJARAT – 328 all out and 47 for no loss (P Panchal 34 not out)

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