A round-up of the Ranji Trophy semi-final matches played on Monday
Gujarat nudged ahead when experienced left-arm seamer R P Singh sent back the ominous-looking Ishan Kishan, the last of his three victims of the day, as Jharkhand trailed by 176 runs in their Ranji Trophy semi-final in Nagpur on Monday.
At stumps on the second day, Jharkhand were 214 for five, having ended Gujarat's first innings on 390 at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground.
Gujarat owe their total to the in-form Priyank Panchal (149), who added just five runs to his overnight total.
Gujarat were 283 for three at close of play on the first day.
While Ishank Jaggi (40) and Rahul Shukla were at the crease for Jharkhand, Shukla was yet to open his account.
After the departure of skipper Saurabh Tiwary (39) with the total reading 121 for four, Jharkhand were on the road to recovery with Kishan and Jaggi adding 92 runs for the fifth wicket.
However, a charged-up RP broke the partnership and gave his team the crucial breakthrough when he had Kishan caught after a counter-attacking 59-ball 61.
Kishan's brisk knock included nine boundaries and three sixes.
By the end of day's play, the out-of-favour India seamer had figures of 3/48 from nine overs.
Earlier, Jharkhand did better than the first day as they bowled to an attacking field and kept Gujarat within 400. A hint of swing in the first hour meant Jharkhand pacers bowled full, inviting the batsmen to drive on the up.
Ajay Yadav was the pick of Jharkhand bowlers as he picked up three wickets in a relentless nine-over spell. Rahul Shukla finished with figures of 3/71 as Gujarat lost their last seven wickets for 96.
Jharkhand were then rattled early by RP, who dismissed Sumit Kumar and Pratyush Singh in an inspired seven-over spell.
Mumbai 171/4 after TN strike thrice
Rajkot: Suryakumar Yadav top-scored with a 73 and helped Mumbai to a position of strength before Tamil Nadu snared three wickets for as many runs in the final session to achieve a semblance of parity in their Ranji Trophy semi-final on Monday.
Mumbai were 171 for four at stumps on the second day of the marquee last-four clash at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium.
Having bowled out Tamil Nadu for 305 in their first innings earlier in the day, Mumbai trailed by 134 runs with six wickets remaining.
At the close of play, skipper Aditya Tare (19) and Shreyas Iyer (24) were at the crease.
Shardul Thakur (4/75) and Abhishek Nayar (4/66) were the most successful bowers for Mumbai.
Tamil Nadu were 261 for six overnight with Vijay Shankar, who was dismissed for 50 on the second morning, batting on 41 when stumps were drawn at the end of first day's play.
The other overnight batsman, A Aswin Crist, contributed as Tamil Nadu managed to cross 300.
However, after the dismissal of Shankar, Tamil Nadu lost their last three wickets quickly.
Mumbai were off to a poor start losing debutant Prithvi Shaw (4) with as many runs on the board in the innings' first over.
A century partnership ensued for the second wicket between Suryakumar and opener Praful Waghela (48), as Mumbai held the upper hand.
However, Tamil Nadu, owing to Aushik Srinivas and Shankar, got two crucial breakthroughs in the final session to gain some ground.
While Shankar accounted for the wicket of Suryakumar, Aushik sent back Siddhesh Lad to leave Mumbai struggling at 128 for four. In between, Waghela was run out in the same over.
A 43-run unbroken fifth-wicket stand between Tare and Iyer ensured Mumbai did not face further casualty and end the day at 171 for four.
Image: Jharkhand captain Saurabh Tiwary takes a run during the Ranji Trophy semi-final match against Gujarat at VCA stadium in Nagpur on Monday
Photograph: PTI
