Ashay Sardesai's century in vain as Mumbai U-23 lose to Jammu and Kashmir

Ashay Sardesai

Not for the first time the mighty Mumbai have fallen to the so-called minnows Jammu and Kashmir in domestic cricket when they were knocked out in the pre-quarterfinals by a mere one wicket in a pulsating finish to their under-23 one-day match at the Kamla Club ground here yesterday. In the only Ranji Trophy match between the two teams, J&K had stunned Mumbai by four wickets at the Wankhede stadium in November 2014. Just to show that was not a one-off affair, J&K once again did the unthinkable yesterday.

After being put in, one thought Mumbai had more than enough on the board when they ran up 297 for six in their 50 overs with Ashay Sardesai scoring a brilliant, unbeaten 145 with nine fours and three sixes. Sardesai and Siddharth Akre made merry to add 113 for the third wicket with the latter's contribution being 72 from 61 balls. After Akre's departure, Sardesai ensured Mumbai U-23 did not lose momentum and helped his team get close to the 300-mark. Despite the small ground, not many gave J&K a chance of getting the runs at almost six runs an over.

However, with most of the batsmen making handy contributions, Auqib Nabi (61) and Fazil Rashid (56) being the most notable, there was a ray of hope for them. But after the dismissal of Rashid, a bit of work still had to be done and it was left to Nabi and No. 10 batsman Akash Choudhary. They hammered 36 from just 30 balls, to take their team into the quarter-finals.

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