Avasthi's incisive spell swings it Mumbai's way after Sangwan's ton
Avasthi's incisive spell swings it Mumbai's way after Sangwan's ton
Mumbai seize day one as Avasthi's six-wicket burst topples Delhi; Sangwan shines with a fluent hundred before play halted by dusty conditions.
Mumbai moved to the front on day one of the Ranji Trophy Group D clash against Delhi, with Mohit Avasthi delivering an incisive spell that put the hosts in command at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy ground. Sanat Sangwan produced a fluent hundred in his maiden Ranji outing against Mumbai, helping Delhi reach 221 before the day’s play ended. The second-wicket stand between Sangwan and Vaibhav Kandpal crossed the hundred mark, but Shams Mulani’s breakthrough ended that partnership and opened the door for Avasthi, who bowled a probing spell of 6-0-17-3 and repeatedly found the right lines to draw false shots from Delhi’s middle order. Delhi had slipped from 146 for two to 152 for five as Mumbai’s pace trio targeted the bat with short deliveries that the left-hander Sangwan accepted with confident strokes. Sangwan, soaking up a few blows to the ribs early on, continued to guide Delhi with lofted hits once spin was introduced, reaching his third century of the season as the visitors settled for a competitive first-innings total.
The hosts’ bowlers continued to strike at regular intervals, and within seven deliveries Avasthi struck twice more, turning the momentum decisively in Mumbai’s favour. The day’s play was then curtailed by poor visibility caused by dusty conditions, with an extended half-hour break ending play for the day. Delhi will look to rebound on day two, while Mumbai will hope to extend their advantage on a surface offering something for bowlers and pacers alike.
