New Delhi:
Rising cricket star Shreyas Iyer continued his sensational form with the willow as his quickfire unbeaten 79 off 49 balls helped Mumbai beat Ranji Trophy champions Gujarat by 5 wickets in a West Zone leg game of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on Monday.
The win was a revenge of sorts for Mumbai after losing out to Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy finals. While it can't be termed as a revenge for the Ranji champions, Iyer will be feeling happy having hit six fours and four huge sixes with Mumbai chasing down a modest target of 132 in only 18.2 overs.
Senior pro Ajinkya Rahane (25) however looked rusty during the opening stand of 42. Rahane in fact played 30 balls and found it difficult to rotate the strike.
None of the Mumbai batsmen got to double figures but it was not needed as Shreyas was hitting the Gujarat bowlers out of the park.
Seamer Chintan Gaja (0/20 in 2 overs) and off-spinner Rujul Bhatt (2/32 in 4 overs) got some special treatment from the talented right-hander.
Earlier, 45-year-old IPL specialist Pravin Tambe (2/19 in 4 overs), easily the oldest active cricketer in Indian domestic circuit currently, warmed up nicely for the big event. Seamer Prathamesh Dake (2/13) was the other successful bowler as Mumbai restricted Gujarat to 131/9.
Summarised Scores
Gujarat 131/9 (Rujul Bhatt 47, Pravin Tambe 2/19) Mumbai 133/5 in 18.2 overs (Shreyas Iyer 79 no) Mumbai won by 5 wickets.
Maharashtra 165/9 (Ankit Bawne 71, Shaurya Sanadia 4/37) Saurashtra 150/9 (Prerak Mankad 72, Anupam Sankleha
