Ahmedabad: Odisha are staring at their second innings defeat in as many matches in the Ranji Trophy after their coach Wasim Jaffer’s nephew Armaan hit a century to power Mumbai to a massive total of 532 for 9 declared.
Having conceded a massive first-innings lead of 248 runs, Odisha tumbled to 84 for 5 in their second innings at stumps on Day 3 of the Elite Group D contest at Narendra Modi Stadium’s Ground B.
Odisha’s hopes of making the knockout phase are all but over. With 3 points in their kitty from two games, Odisha needed an outright win in their final group league match to keep their slim chances alive.
However, victory now looks a distant dream as Odisha need to score 164 more runs to make Mumbai bat a second time. The top five are back in the pavilion, with in-form opener Shantanu Mishra, skipper Subhranshu Senapati, Govinda Poddar and Rajesh Dhuper managing a mere 8 runs between them.
Opener Anshuman Rath scored 34, while allrounder Abhishek Raut is unbeaten on 31.
Left-arm spinner Shams Mulani did the maximum damage, dismissing three Odisha batsmen – Rath, Senapati and Dhuper. Mulani earlier contributed a quickfire 70 with the bat after centurions Sarfaraz Khan (165) and Armaan Jaffer (125) punished Odisha bowlers with a 277-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
It was the 23-year-old Jaffer’s maiden first-class century.
Scores: Mumbai 532/9 declared. Odisha 284 and 84/5.
Match to continue.
