Ranji Trophy: Mumbai spinners outclass Hyderabad by an innings and 217 runs

Trailing by 437 runs, Hyderabad lost their top-three for 69 runs at lunch on Day Three. Left-hander Rohit Rayudu, who scored 77 in the first innings, was trapped LBW by Kotian in the second essay. Kotian and Mulani scalped five and four wickets respectively to bundle out the visitors for 220 on Thursday

The Ajinkya Rahane-led Mumbai team registered their second successive win inside three days in the Ranji Trophy this season, thanks to a combined bowling effort from left-arm spinner Shams Mulani and off-spinner Tanush Kotian. Hyderabad scored 214 and 220 runs in the first and the second innings respectively as they lost by an innings and 217 runs at the Mumbai Cricket Association’s (MCA) Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) ground on Thursday.   

Trailing by 437 runs, Hyderabad lost their top-three for 69 runs at lunch on Day Three. Left-hander Rohit Rayudu, who scored 77 in the first innings, was trapped LBW by Kotian in the second essay. Kotian and Mulani scalped five and four wickets respectively to bundle out the visitors for 220 on Thursday. 

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Mulani gave credit to his bowling partnership with Kotian for the performance. “He [Kotian] is a very crucial part of the team and provides a different aspect. His pace is quicker than mine. He also uses the rough pretty well,” he said.

“It’s like a blessing [to bowl with Kotian] because batsmen have to play good shots against him to score. I was trying to do the same. So, we’re bowling well in partnership. There is camaraderie. We know what each other’s bowling is. I know what he does and what he is thinking,” Mulani told mid-day.

Earlier, Hyderabad resumed their innings on 173-6. However, they lasted only 17.2 overs, managing to add just 47 runs and taking their total to 220. The highlight of the first innings was Mulani’s disciplined bowling. The 2021-22 Ranji season’s highest wicket-taker (45 in six games), was just unplayable for the Hyderabad batsmen. Adding two wickets to his Wednesday’s tally, Mulani bettered his best first-class figures of 7-114, which he had against Saurashtra at Ahmedabad last season. 

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Brief scores
Mumbai 651-6d beat H’bad 214 (R Rayudu 77, T Agarwal 40; S Mulani 7-94) & 220 (R Buddhi 65, T Agarwal 39; T Kotian 5-82, S Mulani 4-82) by an innings and 217 runs

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