The Tripura-Mumbai Ranji match at the MBB Stadium took a dramatic turn, leaving fans on the edge of their seats as the match heads into its final day.
Among the Tripura batsman, Jibanjyoti Singh scored a century, while Shreedam Pal and captain Mandeep Singh scored half-centuries.
Tripura scored 302 runs in their first innings in response to Mumbai’s 450.
Despite taking a first-innings lead, the star-studded Mumbai team found themselves under pressure at the end of the third day as they lost two wickets scoring only 7 runs.
However, with their experienced players, Mumbai could turn the match around on the final day.
Given the current state of the match, it remains anyone’s game. But Mumbai is likely to go all out for a direct win on the final day, promising an intense battle on the 22 yards.
Tripura could have been in a much better position at the end of the third day. The manner in which Jibanjyoti Singh and Shreedam Pal threw away their wickets was inexcusable.
When these two were batting, the pitch was relatively easy. Had they not gotten out due to reckless shots, the match could have been even more exciting.
After Singh and Pal, the skipper Mandeep Singh tried to steady the ship with his half century knock and apart these batsmen, no other players of Tripura could contribute much.
With a lead of 148 runs, the visiting Mumbai team was 7 for 2 at the end of the third day. Manishankar Murasing and Abhijit Sarkar claimed one wicket each.
Earlier, resuming on 60 for 1 on the second day, Tripura lost Tripura lost night watchman Parvez Sultan (6) and Tejashwi Jashoyal (4) early, putting them under pressure and found themselves on the backfoot.
However, opener Jibanjyoti and Shreedam Pal steadied the ship. The pair added 91 runs for the fourth wicket. Jibanjyoti was dismissed for a well-made 118 of 188 balls. His knock was laced with 15 fours.
Shreedam fell for 52 after playing 100 balls. He hit 4 fours and 1 six. Captain Mandeep Singh remained unbeaten on 62 off 90 balls. He struck 6 fours and 1 six.
Fans were expecting fireworks from Murasing, but he was out for three-ball duck. Wicketkeeper Srinivas Sarath was out for 15 runs. Sandip Sakar scored 2 runs while Abhijit Sarkar and Rana Dutta scored 11 4 runs respectively.
For Mumbai, Himanshu Singh claimed 6 for 65 runs while Shams Mulani grabbed 3 for 88. Mohit Avasthi also chipped in a wicket.
(Tripura, Northeast)