Mumbai register massive win

Set a fourth-innings target of 400 to win, Gujarat never had a chance of getting there on the last day, especially since they ended the third day teetering at 33/2. But their meek collapse must have surprised even their rivals Mumbai in their Ranji Trophy league match at Bulsar.

With Ajit Agarkar and Paras Mhambrey picking up three wickets apiece, Gujarat folded for a pitiful 101 in just 30 overs. Aside from TN Varsani's 26 and K Damani's 24, none of the other batsmen could even make a good start. Varsani and Damani took the score from 51/5 to 93, but when the former fell, the reins slipped rapidly out of Gujarat's hands.

Mumbai's bowlers all stuck to a plan, bowling tight and attacking all the time. They got their just rewards in a 298-run victory, picking up eight points from the encounter by virtue of an outright win.

Merchant, Odedra play out Day Four for a draw

Nine bowlers could not achieve a breakthrough for Maharashtra on the final day of their Ranji Trophy league match against Saurashtra at Pune on Wednesday. The match drawn, the home side picked up five points from the encounter, while the visitors picked three.

Relatively comfortable overnight on 112/2, Saurashtra batsmen Altaf Merchant and Niraj Odedra experienced no hiccups at all in wiping out the first-innings deficit of 176. That done, they settled to patiently play out the day, putting all thoughts of a result out of the minds of spectators and rivals alike.

Merchant ended the day on 111 off 282 balls, hitting 14 fours in the process. His partner Odedra also hit 14 fours in his knock of 129 from 299 balls. Merchant thus spent 423 minutes at the crease, while Odedra's tenure lasted 343 minutes.

With only Niranjan Godbole and wicket-keeper S Satbhai not turning their arm over in the day, Maharashtra used nine bowlers to no avail. Saurashtra, at the close of play, were on 339/2, ensuring the three points from the drawn match.

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