It’s often said fast bowlers hunt in pairs. This was evident in the morning session of Day 2 of the Ranji Trophy quarter-final at the MCA-BKC ground on Saturday when Mumbai pacers Mohit Avasthi (4-27) and Tushar Deshpande (4-33) restricted Karnataka to 173, a first innings lead of just 53. Karnataka opener Mayank Agarwal (92) did the bulk of the scoring for the visitors. Mumbai had folded for just 120 in their first innings the previous day.
Avasthi and Deshpande made good use of the helpful morning conditions as moisture on the surface made scoring difficult. Deshpande picked up all four wickets in a spell of 6-1-20-4, including the prized scalp of Agarwal, edged to second slip Siddhesh Lad. Avasthi, fresh from a five-wicket haul against Delhi last week, polished off the opposition, dismissing Shikhar Shetty, clean bowled, before lunch.
Tushar Deshpande
Mumbai put up a better batting show in their second essay. Akash Anand (53 not out), promoted to No. 3, and Musheer Khan (49 not out) shared an unbroken 112-run partnership for the third wicket to take the hosts to 189-2 in their second innings, enjoying a lead of 136.
“On Friday, when I came to bowl [46-1 in 8 overs], they already had a flying start. My role was to keep them quiet. On Saturday, when we had them three down in the morning, that was a chance for me to get through their batting line-up. It’s all about bowling in partnerships. Going from here, the game is open,” said Deshpande, 30, who was pleased to contain Karnataka’s lead to just 53. “We spoke in the huddle about belief. As the pitch was helping seam bowlers, it was important to bowl in the right areas and with the mindset of attacking the batters,” he said.
Mumbai openers Akhil Herwadkar and Yashasvi Jaiswal failed to provide a big opening stand. After posting 77, both fell within six deliveries of each other. Herwadkar (33) was run out by Vidwat Kaverappa’s direct throw from fine leg while Jaiswal stepped out to leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal and was stumped for 36.
Brief scores
Mumbai 120 & 189-2 (A Anand 53*, M Khan 49*, Y Jaiswal 36, A Herwadkar 33) vs Karnataka 173 (M Agarwal 92; M Avasthi 4-27, T Deshpande 4-33)
