Mumbai lands a knockout blow on Goa

Kotian and Mulani’s allround show helps it script a remarkable turnaround

Tanush Kotian and Shams Mulani continued to sizzle with the bat and the ball as the duo starred in Mumbai’s remarkable comeback win against Goa in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group D.

Starting the last day with a lead of 158 runs and three wickets to spare, Kotian (98, 163b, 8x4, 1x6) — with Mohit Avasthi’s vital support — stretched Mumbai’s lead beyond Goa’s reach at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Mumbai declared its second essay at 395 for nine, leaving Goa a target of 232 runs in 62 overs.

The spin duo of Mulani (5/60) and Kotian (3/29) — whose 116-run association for the eighth wicket put Mumbai in command — then ran through the inexperienced Goa line-up. Despite being frustrated by the last pair of Amulya Pandrekar and Amit Yadav, Mumbai wrapped up the game in the first over of the last hour. Kotian, the star of the day, fittingly ended the game, with Amit Yadav being caught by Sachin Yadav at forward short-leg.

When Mumbai declared after adding 73 runs in 26 overs, Goa openers Sumiran Amonkar and Amogh Desai saw off the awkward four overs heading into lunch. However, the afternoon session saw Mumbai spelling doom for Goa’s batters, picking up eight wickets for 62 runs.

With the red soil offering consistent turn and bounce, Mulani used the hard ball to his advantage. Veteran Dhawal Kulkarni, who bowled a spirited spell, started the downfall with Amonkar being adjudged lbw in the fourth over after lunch.

Mulani then drew Suyash Prabhudessai out of his crease to see Aditya Tare complete a clean stumping off a ball that turned away. The left-arm spinner was rewarded again in his next over, with Sachin pulling off a stunning catch at silly point to dismiss Amogh Desai.