Mumbai shining in U-25, U-19

Mumbai: If all goes as per script, Wednesday could be a day of celebrations in Mumbai cricket. The Mumbai Under-25 team is on the verge of clinching the Col CK Nayudu (for Under-25) Trophy in the final at Ahmedabad, while in Kolkata, the Under-19s are within sniffing distance of making it to the final.
In the U-25 final against Vidarbha at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday, left-arm spinner Shams Mulani continued his impressive form, taking four for 113 to help Mumbai gain a 83-run first innings lead on Day Three.Mandar Mahale (81), Yash Kadam (61), M Kale (60) and S Wath (55) all hit half-centuries, but Mulani’s effort helped Mumbai restrict Vidarbha to 385.
“I think there was a lot of character shown by our bowlers. There were times where things were tough for us, but the way (pacer) Minad Manjrekar (2-83 in 21 overs) bowled on a track that wasn’t helpful for the fast bowlers was commendable. His breakthroughs were very vital for us today. We still have a lot of work left to do to win the trophy. The bowlers have done their job. Now, it’s all about playing quality cricket on the final day,” Mulani, who has now taken 54 wickets in his last six games, told TOI from Ahmedabad.
Brief Scores: Mumbai 468 & 14-0 vs Vidarbha 385 (Mandar Mahale 81, Yash Kadam 61, M Kale 60, S Wath 55, Y Rathod 41; Shams Mulani 4-113).
Jethwa grabs 3/35
Meanwhile, against Maharashtra at stumps on Day Three of their Cooch Behar Trophy (for Under-19) semifinal against Maharashtra, Mumbai looked well-poised to take the all-important first innings lead. After posting 472, Mumbai reduced Saurashtra to 316 for nine, as Ayush Jethwa took three for 35.
Brief Scores: Mumbai 472 vs Maharashtra 316-9 (S Dhas 70, Atharv Wanve 57, Sharwain Kisave 51; Ayush Jethwa 3-35).