Maharashtra battle hard to gain foothold

Maharashtra fought their way back in to their Ranji Trophy quarterfinal against Mumbai in brilliant fashion by bundling out the defending champions for a meagre 129 in second innings on a dramatic third day of the five-day match here on Friday.

Maharashtra were all out for 280 in their first innings in reply to Mumbai’s 402, thereby conceding a lead of 122 runs, but the visiting bowlers brought their side back into the game by dismissing the hosts for just 129 on a day which saw 14 wickets fall.

Mumbai were in an even worse situation as they were reduced to 29 for five at one stage before some rear-guard batting took the score past 100-mark.

Maharashtra medium pace trio of Samad Fallah (3/45), Anupam Sanklecha (4/57) and Shrikant Mundhe (3/26) captured all 10 Mumbai second innings wickets with a fine exhibition of seam bowling on a Wankhede stadium track that offered bounce and pace. This set Maharashtra a winning target of 252 and at stumps, they were 28 for the loss of Chirag Khurana’s wicket.