Left-arm spinner Shams Mulani returned with a five-wicket haul to help Mumbai secure a dominating win by an innings and 120 runs against Himachal Pradesh on the third day of their Ranji Trophy match at the MCA Cricket Ground.
After posting a total of 446 runs, the Mumbai bowlers brought their `A-game` to bamboozle Himachal Pradesh`s batting lineup.
Himachal were bowled out for 187 runs in their first innings, thanks to Mumbai`s Himanshu Singh. After being bowled out, the side showed no signs of improvement in the second innings.
Mulani`s five-wicket haul helped Mumbai bowl out Himachal for 139 runs in the second innings at the MCA Ground.
Resuming at a precarious 94 for 7 in the first innings, a brisk half-century from number 10 Vaibhav Arora (51 off 61 balls, 7x4s, 4x6s) gave HP some much-needed impetus, even as Nikhil Gangta (64 not out, 134 balls, 8x4s) held the other end strongly.
Arora did not let the opportunity slip from his hand. He smashed four maximums and put on a partnership of 77 runs for the ninth wicket with Gangta. But the partnership could not delay the inevitable as the side was bowled out for 187 runs, conceding a lead of 259 runs.
Made to follow on, Himachal were again off to a poor start with Tushar Deshpande getting skipper Ankush Bains (0) caught behind and Mumbai captain Shardul Thakur trapping Siddhant Purohit (2) leg-before.
Himachal were soon reduced to 68/4 when Mulani struck twice to get rid of Ankit Kalsi (19) and Ekant Sen (7). The visitors found a dependable pair of Mann and Gangta, who steadied the ship with a 44-run stand on either side of the tea break.
Along with Mulani, Musheer Khan also played a crucial role for the hosts. He registered two wickets after bowling 10 overs and conceding 23 runs.
Then, Mumbai brought on Ayush Mhatre to roll over his arm in search of the breakthrough, and he had Mann caught by Ajinkya Rahane at the first slip for his maiden wicket in the 36th over.
Brief Scores:
Mumbai: 446 beat Himachal Pradesh 187 in 65.5 overs (Nikhil Gangta 64 not out, Vaibhav Arora 51; Himanshu Singh 3/54) & 139 in 49.1 overs (Pukhraj Mann 65; Shams Mulani 5/37, Musheer Khan 2/23) by an innings and 120 runs.
(With PTI Inputs)