Mulani, Kotian get the job done as Mumbai begins in style

It took Mumbai less than two sessions and 51.1 overs to snare the remaining nine Chandigarh wickets and complete an innings and 155-run victory at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday. The bonus-point win provided an ideal start to its quest to reclaim the Ranji Trophy.

While all five specialist bowlers had at least a wicket to their name, the spin duo of Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian outdid the pace trio, sharing six wickets between them as Chandigarh was bowled out for 196 in its second innings.

Trailing by 351 runs and having lost a wicket on the second evening, the away team needed to play out of its skin to make the home side bat again. Arjun Azad, who lived a charmed life, and Arslan Khan began in free-flowing fashion before Sarfaraz Khan stretched forward at second slip to pouch an edge off Sylvester D’Souza to dismiss Arslan.

Tushar Deshpande, fresh from his hat-trick on Monday, continued his good work. He induced Chandigarh captain Manan Vohra into a false shot with a short-ball ploy and rattled Azad’s helmet with a bouncer. Mulani then breached Azad’s defence, and, on the cusp of lunch, had Raj Bawa caught at forward short leg.

With half the opposition back in the dressing room, Mumbai hoped to wrap up the contest in the second session on another sultry afternoon. Mohit Avasthi duly removed Dipender Kush, but Shivam Bhambri held one end up and offered some resistance.

Kotian’s introduction in the 39th over brought immediate rewards. The off-spinner created chances straightaway, and went on to claim three wickets. Mulani added another scalp as Mumbai completed the formalities 11 minutes before the tea break.

The three-day rout also earned Mumbai an additional day’s rest before it travels to Bilaspur to take on Himachal Pradesh in the next round.

The scores:

Mumbai — 1st innings: 429.

Chandigarh — 1st innings: 78.

Chandigarh — 2nd innings: Vishu Kashyap b Deshpande 0, Arjun Azad b Mulani 62, Arslan Khan c Sarfaraz b D’Souza 20, Manan Vohra c Mulani b Deshpande 14, Shivam Bhambri c Jaiswal b Mulani 44, Raj Bawa c sub (Parkar) b Mulani 6, Dipender Kush b Avasthi 5, Akshit Rana b Kotian 17, Nishunk Birla c Sarfaraz b Kotian 18, Jagjit Singh Sandhu lbw b Kotian 6, Rohit Dhanda (not out) 0; Extras (lb-4): 4; Total (in 52.1 overs) 196.

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-39, 3-87, 4-101, 5-109, 6-120, 7-157, 8-183, 9-191.

Mumbai bowling: Deshpande 8-2-37-2, Avasthi 10-1-42-1, D’Souza 9-2-14-1, Mulani 18-1-69-3, Kotian 7.1-2-30-3.