MUMBAI, Mar 4:
Shardul Thakur’s all-round brilliance was the central point of Mumbai’s massive innings and 70-run win over clumsy Tamil Nadu inside three days as they marched to their 48th Ranji Trophy final here on Monday.
After his stunning 109 on the second day that handed 41-time champions Mumbai a big 232-run lead, Thakur ripped the TN top-order with two wickets that saw the visitors getting felled for 162 in their second innings in the semifinal.
Baba Indrajith (70) waged a lone battle for Tamil Nadu, whose other top-order batters walked back without any significant contribution and the middle-order too crumbled against the pressure.
However, the pair of Indrajith and Pradosh Ranjan Paul put some resistance, stitching 73 runs for the fourth wicket.
The catalyst of Mumbai’s win was Thakur’s mighty effort – 109, 2/48 and 2/16. He dragged them back into the contest from a perilous 106/7 in the first innings to a handy lead while making his maiden century across formats.
Thakur was all over TN with a two-wicket burst early on day three, helping Mumbai reduce the visitors to 10/3.
B Sai Sudharsan was given a reprieve by Shreyas Iyer at midwicket, spilling a sitter, but Thakur had the left-handed opener caught behind with a superb inswinger that took an inside edge.
Thakur swung the new ball dangerously and snaffled the key wicket of N Jagadeesan for a seven-ball duck.
Pacer Mohit Avasthi also tasted success when he had Washington Sundar, who was promoted to No. 3, caught behind by Hardik Tamore. (PTI)
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