Buoyed by seam bowling allrounder Shardul Thakur‘s early twin strikes, Mumbai reduced Services to 60 for three at Lunch on Day Three and were closing in on an outright win, with perhaps even a bonus point, against Services in their Elite Group A Ranji Trophy match at the Air Force ground in Palam.
Having taken four for 46 in he first innings-his best spell so far this season-Thakur, with his tail up, prised out Services openers Shubham Rohilla (10) and Aanshul Gupta (4) in his first two overs. Having taken six wickets for 75 in the match so far, the 33-year-old, ignored for the Border Gavaskar Trophy, has served a reminder to the selectors about his ability, while also showcasing his form ahead of the IPL auction in Riyadh later this month.
Recalled for this match, left-arm seamer Junaid Khan, who made his debut earlier this season in the Irani Cup tie, castled Ravi Chauhan (23).
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In the morning, Mumbai managed to bag a crucial 48-run first innings lead thanks to the efforts of tailenders Mohit Avasthi (25, 51b, 3×4) and Himanshu Singh (29 not out, 63b, 3×4). The duo’s ninth wicket partnership of 34 ended when Avasthi was caught and bowled by Services seamer Nitin Yadav, who finished with three for 61 in 15 overs. Mumbai then reduced Services to 22 for two in their second innings.
