Sarandeep hastens Mumbai's decline

By Our Special Correspondent

MUMBAI, MARCH 24. Punjab off-spinner Sarandeep Singh reminded the National selectors that he is in good form. His off-breaks, bowled consistently around the offstump, fetched him six wickets against Mumbai at the Wankhede stadium. The result was a facile 207-run win for Punjab over last year's winner.

Punjab did not get a wicket this morning for three quarters of an hour because of its defensive tactics. It was a good delivery from Vaneet Sharma that got rid off Wasim Jaffer (51, 97m, 63b, 7 x 4s) who had added 102 runs for the second wicket with Vinayak Mane. This triggered a collapse with Mumbai losing three more wickets in an hour.

Sarandeep hastened Mumbai's decline. He bowled an eventful first over wherein Pankaj Dharmani (at square leg) did not make an attempt to come under the top-edge that came of Paranjape's bat. But in the same over he had Mane (56, 148m, 69b, 6x4s). Thereafter, he was on song, forcing Vinod Kambli to go nearer to his stumps and trap him leg before. By lunch time Mumbai was in real shambles, losing eight wickets and with only Jatin Paranjape holding fort. Ranveet Ricky took a splendid catch at point, the ball travelling that far, following an intended square drive from Amol Muzumdar. Both Kambli and Muzumdar went without opening their account. Twentysix minutes into the second session, Mumbai was bowled out for 213 with Paranjape being the top scorer at 59.

The scores:

Punjab - 1st innings: 383

Mumbai - 1st innings: 285

Punjab - 2nd innings: 322

Mumbai - 2nd innings: A. Rane c Sanwal b Gagandeep 2, V. Mane b Sarandeep 56, W. Jaffer c Rathour b Vaneet Sharma 51, J. Paranjape c Yuveraj b Sarandeep 59, V. Kambli lbw b Sarandeep 0, A. Muzumdar c Ricky b Sarandeep 0, R. Powar c Munish Sharma b Sodhi 8, P. Mhambrey c Sanwal b Sarandeep 1, R. Pawar c Rathour b Sarandeep 7, S. Kannan (not out) 8, S. Saxena c Munish Sharma b Sarandeep 8, Extras (b-2, lb-1, nb-5, w-5) 13. Total (in 51.1 overs): 213.

Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-110, 3-135, 4- 136, 5-147, 6-169, 7-170, 8-187, 9-199.

Punjab bowling: Gagandeep 15-1-56-1, Vaneet Sharma 11-0-44-1, Sodhi 8-1-52-2, Yuveraj 1-0-5-0, Sarandeep 12.1-1-38-6, Sanwal 4- 0-15-0.

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