Mumbai witnesses fourth defeat in Vijay Hazare Trophy; city's cricket fraternity not happy

Mumbai skipper Shams Mulani

Defendingchampions Mumbai suffered their fourth defeat in five matches at the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday, finishing the tournament in bottom place (sixth) in Group B. Mumbai lost to Puducherry by 18 runs. Ironically, it took two Mumbai-based bowlers - left-arm spinner Sagar Udeshi (2-20) and pacer Sagar Trivedi (2-21) - to put Mumbai on the mat.

The current scenario is a complete contrast to what happened last season when, riding on in-form Prithvi Shaw (827 runs in eight matches, including four centuries), Mumbai had won the Vijay Hazare Trophy. However, this time, no Mumbai batsman was able to score a century. Armaan Jaffer (138 runs), skipper Shams Mulani (131), Yashasvi Jaiswal (128), Aakarshit Gomel (93 in two matches), Hardik Tamore (83) and Suryakumar Yadav (75) were Mumbai's top performers in this edition. In the bowling department, pacer Mohit Avasthi was the highest wicket-taker with nine dismissals. Off-spinner Tanush Kotian (7), Test pacer Dhawal Kulkarni (six wickets), leggie Prashant Solanki (six wickets) and left-arm spinner skipper Mulani (five wickets), were the other performers.

Puducherry spinner Sagar Udeshi (left) and pacer Sagar Trivedi

Obviously, Mumbai's cricket fraternity is upset, especially since this poor show comes on the back of another disappointing effort at the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy last month, where Mumbai failed to even reach the knockouts.

MCA treasurer annoyed

It is learnt that Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) treasurer Jagdish Achrekar has sent an email to the association's president, Dr Vijay Patil, requesting him to call for an urgent Apex Council meeting to discuss the team's failure at the Vijay Hazare Trophy. "We are annoyed. Somebody has to be accountable for this," Achrekar told mid-day, when asked what he felt about the team's poor run.

It is learnt that the Apex Council members want to know why three players from Mumbai's U-25 team - Jaiswal, Jaffar and Sairaj Patil - who were doing well, were moved to the senior team, thereby disturbing the balance of both teams. Even some support staff appointments for the women's teams have raised a few eyebrows among the Apex Council members.

Former MCA managing committee member Ravi Mandrekar has sent out Whatsapp messages to the MCA president and the Apex Council members, asking them who should be held responsible for Mumbai's poor performances.

Former Mumbai chief selector Milind Rege refused to be drawn into the issue of the team's performance, though. "I have distanced myself from Mumbai cricket. I have done my bit. Good luck to Mumbai," he said.

Batsmen flop

This is what happened at Thiruvanathapuram. Opting to bat at the Greenfield International Stadium, Puducherry were bowled out for 157 in 46 overs. Paras Dogra (58), Pavan Deshpande (22) and Udeshi (21) were the main scorers on a low and slow turning track. For Mumbai, pacer Avasthi claimed 3-19, while Kulkarni, Mulani and Kotian picked up two wickets each. In reply, Mumbai were shockingly bundled out for 139 in 48.1 overs. Opener Gomel (70, 5x4) was the chief contributor for the losing side. Young Puducherry offie Fabid Ahmed dismissed four Mumbai batsmen, conceding just 16 runs in the bargain.

Udeshi, who dismissed two vital Mumbai batsmen - Gomel and Yadav (4) - knows both well since they play club cricket for Mumbai's Parsee Gymkhana. "Playing against a good team and giving your best makes you feel happy. Surya went for a scoop shot, but got clean bowled. Aakarshit was batting brilliantly, but got out at a crucial juncture, needing 21 in the last three overs," said Udeshi.

Trivedi, who represented Mumbai four years ago, also lavished praise on Gomel. "Aakarshit played a special innings. Had he been there till the end, Mumbai would have won," he said.

Brief scores
Puducherry 157 in 46 overs (P Dogra 58; M Avasthi 3-19, T Kotian 2-22, D Kulkarni 2-23, S Mulani 2-49) beat Mumbai 139 in 48.1 overs (A Gomel 70; F Ahmed 4-16, S Udeshi 2-20, S Trivedi 2-21, B Sharma 2-34) by 18 runs