‘Highly satisfying’

Tushar Deshpande

With Chhattisgarh on 350-9, just one run behind Mumbai's first-innings total of 351, it seemed that the 41-time Ranji Trophy champions were certain to lose three crucial points and the first-innings lead in their Elite Group ‘B' match at Raipur on Sunday. However, Mumbai pacer Tushar Deshpande (5-121) delivered when it mattered most - dismissing their skipper Amandeep Khare (143) and ensuring a vital one-run first innings lead.

Mumbai 97-1 at stumps

In their second innings, the visitors were 97-1 at stumps on Day Three with Mumbai opener Prithvi Shaw, who made 159 in the first innings, scoring 45, and fellow opener Bhupen Lalwani, who scored 102 in the first essay, on 40 not out. In reply to Mumbai's first-innings total, Chhattisgarh fought well, thanks mainly to Khare's patient knock that was laced with 14 fours and four sixes. However, Deshpande, who joined the Mumbai team for this game after his maiden stint with India ‘A' against England Lions, trapped Khare leg before in the nick of time to complete an impressive fifer.

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Fuller length pays off

When asked what was going through his mind with the hosts just one run short of their first innings total, Deshpande said he planned to bowl a fuller-length delivery. "I just told myself to attack the stumps. It was a very satisfying moment to get that last wicket with Chhattisgarh just one run behind our total. Personally, it gives me a lot of confidence to deliver in such crunch situations. I'm happy I executed my plans perfectly," Deshpande told mid-day on Sunday.

The pacer ruled out any chances of an outright win on the final day on Monday given the flat pitch. "It's a total paata [flat] pitch and a fast outfield. The spinners are getting no help. We lost early wickets and played some bad shots, otherwise we could've scored 500-plus," added Deshpande, who is playing his first Ranji match of the season. Meanwhile, Khare, recalled his unbeaten 117 that helped Chhattisgarh beat Mumbai by five wickets with one ball to spare in a Vijay Hazare Trophy match in Alur during the 2019-20.

Crisp Khare

"Playing against Mumbai is always a special feeling. I scored a century against them when we were chasing 317 and won. I was hoping for something similar this time. We came so close and the intensity was so high with both teams giving their best. I was attempting to tap and get a single, but missed that ball and was out [LBW]. This knock against Mumbai has given me a lot of confidence," said Khare.

Brief scores
Mumbai 351 & 97-1 (P Shaw 45, B Lalwani 40') v Chhattisgarh 350 (A Khare 143, S Chandrakar 56; T Deshpande 5-121, R Dias 2-44, S Mulani 2-61)