Saurashtra provide Mumbai a chance for 3rd win on trot

Mumbai skipper Ajinkya Rahane bats at the MCA’s BKC nets yesterday. Pic/Shadab Khan

The Ajinkya Rahane-led Mumbai team started their Ranji Trophy campaign with an aggressive mindset, winning the first two games inside three days against Andhra Pradesh and Hyderabad respectively. The 41-time champions want to continue with the same attitude in their third game against Saurashtra at the Mumbai Cricket Association's Bandra-Kurla Complex ground as well.

Mumbai, who have 13 points from two matches in Elite Group ‘B', will today take on 2019-20 champions Saurashtra, who have secured six points after two games. "We've established enough confidence [amongst the players]. What they do out there and express themselves, is entirely their approach. We'll continue with that," Mumbai head coach Amol Muzumdar said on match eve.

The likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan and Armaan Jaffer have smashed tons for Mumbai so far. And India white-ball specialist Suryakumar Yadav's strokeful 80-ball 90 against Hyderabad charged up the Mumbai dressing room. "It's just fantastic to have him [Suryakumar] around. He's the World No.1 T20 player. The rise of Suryakumar in the last 18 months has been phenomenal. Just to have him around is inspiring. There's a little bit of buzz about him. It's good to have that kind of energy, not just in the dressing room, but also on the ground. Energy is high when Surya is around," Muzumdar remarked.

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Muzumdar, a former Mumbai Ranji-winning captain, also credited left-arm spinner Shams Mulani and off-spinner Tanush Kotian for their match-winning performances. Mulani and Kotian have claimed 14 and 13 wickets respectively in the last two games. He said: "It's fantastic to have two different bowlers and genuine spinners. I'm enjoying what they're achieving."

Though Saurashtra may have won the Ranji Trophy only once, Muzumdar is not taking things for granted. "It's a fantastic contest. I've always felt that they're a very good side. At the same time, we need to focus on what thing we're doing best and need to stick with it. They're having a good season as well," he signed off.