Vishal Dabolkar did the simple things right. He bowled stump-to-stump, brought in subtle variations of pace and spun the odd delivery.
The TNCA Districts batsmen did not get the simple things right. They refused to apply themselves, fell to reckless shots and put their side in a deep hole.
At the end of the first day’s play in the Kalpathi-AGS all-India Buchi Babu final on Monday, Mumbai, replying to Districts’ meagre 163, was on course at 40 without loss at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. A title triumph beckons.
Left-arm spinner Dabolkar was the toast, finishing with six for 46 in 19 overs. “There was some turn in the pitch and I wanted the batsmen to play every ball,” he said.
The diminutive Dabolkar operated efficiently. He had a small leap, used the non-bowling arm effectively while landing, and was able to put more body into his action. He, consequently, had a decent follow through and spun the ball.
Dabolkar’s destructive third spell of 11-5-22-5 turned the game on its head.
That the highest partnership of the Districts’ innings was the 49-run stand between openers N.S. Chaturved (60, 137b, 6x4) and X. Thalaivan Sargunam (28) tells the story. The side failed to build associations and drive home the advantage after winning the toss.
Only Chaturved, a compact batsman who batted with a straight blade and a still head, was an exception. The others disappointed. Anand Subramanian’s baffling heave off Dabolkar, resulting in a skier at mid-off, was reflective of Districts’ display. Abhishek Nayar, bowling his cutters tightly and cleverly, struck twice for Mumbai. And the fielding gave little away. Mumbai was on the ball.
The scores: TNCA Districts 163 in 74 overs (N.S. Chaturved 60, Vishal Dabolkar six for 46) vs Mumbai 40 for no loss in 20 overs.
