Ranji encounter: MP set 280-run victory target for Mumbai batsmen

The Mumbai-Madhya Pradesh Ranji match is set for an exciting finish as the visitors have two days to negotiate rival team’s bowlers on a tricky wicket to chase 280 runs for victory.

The Mumbai-Madhya Pradesh Ranji match is set for an exciting finish as the visitors have two days to negotiate rival team’s bowlers on a tricky wicket to chase 280 runs for victory.

Jalaj Saxena plays a sweep shot during his 79-run knock in the second innings against Mumbai, in Indore on Tuesday. (Shankar Mourya/HT)

On Tuesday, Madhya Pradesh resumed their second innings with a lead of 78 runs but bundled out fpr a paltry 201 runs. Mumbai are currently Group B toppers with 26 points while MP occupy the third spot with 17 points.

A victory against Mumbai will not only give full points to the home side but also consolidate their chances for reaching the knock-out stage.

Jalaj Saxena emerged top scorer for Madhya Pradesh with 79 runs in the second innings, while skipper Devendra Bundela scored 42 runs. For Mumbai, Shardul Thakur and Iqbal Abdullah claimed three wickets each.

Earlier, Mumbai first innings folded at 162 runs in response to MP’s score of 240 runs.

In the morning session, Mumbai tail-enders added crucial 88 runs nto the overnight score of 74 runs to cut short MP lead to 78 runs after the visitors were reduced to 74 for six in just 21 overs at stumps on the opening day.

MP lost their opener Aditya Shrivastava for a duck at the start of the second innings. Before lunch, the home side scored 41 for one wicket.

But the post-lunch session saw MP lose five more wickets. At tea, MP score stood at 158 for six wickets. With only 17 overs left in the final session, MP lost remaining four batsmen for another 43 runs.

For Mumbai, off-spinner Ankush Jaiswal picked up seven wickets on his first-class debut.