JOIN USMumbai thumped Baroda by nine wickets to get their Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign off to a rousing start here at the Alur ground on Wednesday.
Prithvi Shaw, skipper Ajinkya Rahane and Shreyas Iyer struck fluent half-centuries as Mumbai cruised to the 239-run target in 41.3 overs in their Group ‘A’ encounter.
Opting to bat, Baroda were bundled out for a modest 238 in 49.5 overs. While all-rounder Krunal Pandya top-scored with 85 (8x4, 2x6), veteran Yusuf Pahan contributed 40. Skipper Deepak Hooda (9) fell cheaply.
Pinal Shah’s 31-ball 32 played a key role in taking Baroda’s total past the 200-run mark.
For Mumbai, Dhawal Kulkarni picked up four for 39 while left-arm spinner Vijay Gohil returned with two for 20. Kulkarni rattled the lower order to deny Baroda a formidable total.
Mumbai showed fine discipline in their bowling with Tushar Deshpande, Shams Mulani and Siddesh Lad taking a wicket each.
In response, the fast rising Shaw hammered a quickfire 98 (66b, 12x4, 5x6) and forged a 137-run opening wicket partnership with his captain Rahane.
Rahane, who struggled in the Test series in England, was back among runs. In contrast to Shaw’s knock, Rahane’s displayed a patient approach and consumed 116 balls for his 79. Rahane struck six boundaries and a six.
Shaw departed two runs shy of century when he was caught and bowled by Krunal. Rahane, in the company of Shreyas Iyer (56 n.o.) made the opposition bowlers toil and took their side home with ease. Iyer, who was ignored for the Asia Cup, slammed five fours and two sixes in his 67-ball knock.
Baroda next face Vidarbha at the Just Cricket ground on Thursday while Mumbai play defending champions Karnataka on Friday at the Chinnaswamy stadium.
In another game, Jay Pande’s 117 powered Maharashtra to a five-wicket victory over Goa at the Alur ground.
Brief scores: Baroda 238 all out in 49.5 overs (Krunal Pandya 85, Yusuf Pathan 40, Dhawal Kulkarni 4-39) lt to Mumbai 239/1 in 41.3 overs (Prithvi Shaw 98, Ajinkya Rahane 79 not out).
Goa 266/7 in 50 overs (Amogh Desai 65, Amit Verma 38, Samad Fallah 2-42) l to Maharashtra 267/5 in 47.4 overs (Jay Pande 117 not out, Ruturaj Gaikwad 67, Amogh Desai 2-39).
Punjab 290/7 in 50 overs (Shubman Gill 115, Yuvraj Singh 48, Rishi Dhawan 3-50) bt Himachal Pradesh 255 all out in 48.3 overs (Prashant Chopra 95, Siddharth Kaul 4-55).