Mumbai, Dec 4: Defending champions Mumbai registered an innings and 167 runs win over Gujarat within three days of their Ranji Trophy tie in Valsad on Saturday.
Speedster Ajit Agarkar claimed four wickets as Gujarat were bowled out for just 162 runs in their first innings. Gujarat had resumed day three with the score at 121/2.
Agarkar found an able ally in Abhishek Nayar who also chipped in with three wickets as Gujarat struggled throughout their innings in reply to Mumbai’s 544.
With the 377-run deficit, Wasim Jaffer, the Mumbai captain, had no hesitation in asking Gujarat to follow on. His decision was immediately rewarded as left-arm spinner Iqbal Abdulla, conceding just 58 runs, picked up five wickets from his 15 overs. And while Agarkar went wicketless in Gujarat's second innings, Dhawal Kulkarni (3-62) and Ramesh Powar (2-39) helped set up the Mumbai victory by dismissing Gujarat for 215.
For Gujarat, Sunny Patel remained unbeaten on 58 runs. His knock included 11 boundaries and a six and came off just 59 deliveries. But for his innings, Gujarat might not have crossed 200 for the second time in the match.
Parthiv Patel, who received a national call-up, managed 33 and 10 in both the innings.
Mumbai now has 20 points from five games and are firm favourites to top the group.
