Mumbai stretch lead to 553 to shatter Delhi's hope

At stumps on third day, Mumbai were 487 for eight and stretched their lead to a massive 553 runs which is virtually impossible to chase down in 90 overs tomorrow.

Resuming at 74 for two, Mumbai scored 413 runs on a single day as Delhi bowlers lost the plot in the last two sessions when the visitors were reduced to 169 for five before lunch.

After Rohit displayed his class for nearly four hours with good support from Naik, it was young Iqbal Abdulla who took the already demoralised Delhi attack to cleaners with some lusty blows as the match became dead as a contest.

The match which was billed as a contest between two of the best young talents in the country -- Rohit and Virat Kohli -- went in favour of the Mumbai lad as his silken drives and pull-shots were an absolute delight to watch. Even national selector from North Zone Yashpal Sharma had a look of appreciation as Rohit hit a couple of sixes each of pacers Pawan Suyal and Sumit Narwal. The way he pulled Suyal over deep mid-wicket was a delight to watch.

Naik (81, 159 balls, 15x4) too blossomed in Rohit's company hitting some exquisite drives. Rohit steered Pradeep Sangwan for a boundary to complete his century off only 97 deliveries. He was dismissed at the stroke of tea.

Once Rohit was dismissed with Mumbai lead crossing 400-run mark, the Delhi bowlers did not have any zeal to fight. Abdulla joined the party as he repeatedly hit upper-cuts scoring 73 off only 69 deliveries with 11 boundaries and a six. Even Moondeep Mangela hit five boundaries to remain unbeaten on 26

Brief Scores:

Delhi: 201

Mumbai: 267 and 487 for eight in 121 overs (Rohit Sharma 148, Prashant Naik 81, Iqbal Abdullah 73 not out; Sumit Narwal 3/84, Pradeep Sangwan 3/111).