The much anticipated Ranji Trophy match between Tripura and Mumbai started at the MBB Stadium in Agartala on Saturday. After initial success of the Tripura bowlers, it is important that the State team wrap up Mumbai’s remaining four wickets at the start of the second day in the Ranji Trophy otherwise, Tripura batters would have to face an uphill task.
The star-studded Mumbai ended the first day on 248 for 6 and poised for a big first innings score. However, there was disappointment for Mumbai’s Suryansh Shedge, who missed out on a century by just one run despite a brilliant innings. He was out for 99 off 93 balls. Manishankar Murasing claimed his wicket.
On the eve of the match, the Tripura team had announced that they would field first if they won the toss. Even as they lost the toss, Tripura team got the chance to bowl first as Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane, winning the toss on Saturday morning, elected to bat first.
The visiting team found themselves in early trouble due to the pace of Tripura’s Mani Shankar Murasing and Abhijit Sarkar. Mumbai lost their first wicket at team’s 4 runs when opener Ayush Mhatre (4) was caught by Jibanjyoti Singh off the bowling of Abhijit.
Mumbai lost their second wicket with 13 runs on board. This time Murasing struck. He dismissed Siddhant Aadhhathrao (5).
As the team was reeling at 13/2, captain Ajinkya Rahane, along with Angkrish Raghuvanshi, steadied the ship. The pair added 54 runs for the third wicket, with Angkrish scoring 28 off 79 balls and Rahane 35 off 67. Tripura’s Parvez Sultan grabbed the wicket of Angkrish while Rahane was ran out.
Suryansh Shedge then joined the party and played a solid innings. Despite the Tripura captain trying various bowling changes, he couldn’t break the partnership. Suryansh along with Siddesh Lad added 70 runs for the fifth wicket. Lad was dismissed for 29 by Abhijit. After Lad’s dismissal Suryansh found a new partner in Shams Mulani. The pair added 85 runs for the sixth wicket. Suryansh was dismissed for 99, having faced 93 balls and hitting 10 fours and 4 sixes.
At the end of the first day’s play, Mumbai had scored 248 for 6 in 60 overs. Mulani was unbeaten on 38 off 41 balls, while Himanshu Singh was not out on 5. For Tripura, Abhijit Sarkar and Mani Shankar Murasing took two wickets each, conceding 30 and 75 runs respectively. Parvez claimed one for 39.
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha took some time off from his daily schedule to enjoy the Tripura-Mumbai match at the MBB stadium. Later he said, the match is set to be a thrilling encounter and the State Government is committed to make progress in the sports sector.
(Tripura, Northeast)
