Haryana crept closer to a crucial first-innings lead, with defending champions Mumbai fighting a tenacious battle to stay relevant as their Ranji Trophy quarter-final at the Eden Gardens reached an intriguing stage on Sunday. Having dismissed Mumbai for 315 some 40 minutes into the morning session, Haryana were 263-5 at stumps on Day Two.

Requiring another 53 to go past their star-studded opponents, Haryana would be looking to get a sizable lead, considering they will have to bat last on a wearing wicket. Skipper Ankit Kumar led from the front, scoring a patient 136 that oozed poise and purpose, and his wicket just eight minutes before stumps would have boosted belief in the Mumbai camp.