Abhishek Nayar has been Mumbai’s crisis man. The southpaw has hardly put a wrong foot in this Ranji Trophy season. He has delivered those crucial breakthroughs when his team needed the most, and effected run-outs that changed the momentum of the game. Nayar’s willow has had a telling effect — rescuing the team on several occasions, including the semi-final against Services in Delhi recently. With three centuries and eight 50s, Nayar (940 runs) is currently third on the batting charts.

Abhishek Nayar celebrates his century against Baroda at the Wankhede Stadium recently. Pic/Suresh KK