Rahaneโs ton, Dias” fifer put Mumbai in Ranji Trophy semifinal
Skipper Ajinkya Rahane conjured a typically gritty hundred and pacer Royston Dias supported his effort with a five-wicket haul as defending champions Mumbai completed a fine escape act, scripting a commanding 152-run over Haryana to enter the Ranji Trophy semifinals here on Tuesday.
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Rahane, resuming on 88, wasted no time in the morning to notch 108 (180 balls; 13×4) — his 41st first-class century, that guided Mumbai to 339 in the second innings for an overall lead of 353 runs.
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Chasing 354, Haryana crumbled against left-arm pacer Dias (5/39) and Shardul Thakur (3/26), as the veteran quick completed a creditable nine-wicket haul for the match.
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They were bowled out for 201 as the joyous Mumbai dressing room might have forgotten that worrisome period when they were 65/5 in the first innings.
Rahane made a bright beginning in the first session, as two exquisite boundaries off Sumit Kumar and Anshul Kamboj took him to 99, before a nudged single towards midwicket carried him past the milestone off 160 balls.
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The Mumbai stalwart took his helmet off, looked skyward and seemed emotionally relieved as it was his first hundred of the season.
However, Mumbai, resuming from 278/4, crumbled after his dismissal.
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Shivam Dube (44 overnight) fell two runs short of a fifty, and Mumbai lost their remaining five wickets for just 25 runs in under 10 overs.
Anuj Thakral (4/70) led Haryanaโs charge, while Kamboj, Sumit and Jayant Yadav chipped in with two wickets each.
But Haryana failed to replicate that spirit in their chase.
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Barring a Lakshay Dalal and Sumit Kumar sixth-wicket partnership worth 90 runs, Haryanaโs chase never gathered momentum, as they folded in 57.3 overs on a day when the play was agreed upon to be extended because of good light and also because of Haryana losing nine wickets.
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Haryana’s last five wickets tumbled in the final hour, with Dias producing a career-best 5/39 in 10.3 overs — his maiden five-wicket haul.
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Brief Scores Mumbai 315 and 339 in 85.3 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 108, Suryakumar Yadav 70, Shivam Dube 48). Haryana 201; 57.3 overs (Lakshay Dalal 64, Sumit Kumar 62; Royston Dias 5/39, Shardul Thakur 3/26). Mumbai won by 152 runs.ย