Mumbai crush Hyderabad challenge to book final spot

Mumbai stormed into the final of Vijay Hazare Trophy 2018 with yet another commanding win, beating Hyderabad by 60 runs (VJD Method) in a rain-marred first semi-final.

Earlier in the day, Rohit Rayudu's third List A ton, helped Hyderabad reach a respectable 246 for 8. Electing to bat, they were in trouble early with the openers falling to Tushar Deshpande. B Sandeep's counter-attack helped Hyderabad get their innings moving but they failed to stitch big partnerships.

By the 35th over, they were reduced to 123 for 6, and Rohit - who began slowly - was left with only the tail to keep him company. He stitched two vital partnerships with Akash Bhandari and Mehdi Hasan, adding 57 and 58 for the seventh and eighth wicket respectively.

Slow left-armer Shams Mulani impressed yet again, conceding only 38 runs from his 10 overs, apart from accounting for Sandeep's scalp. Dias, who was brought into the side for this clash, took two crucial blows.

Rohit's unbeaten 121 - which included eight boundaries and four sixes - helped Hyderabad to a fighting total, and far more than what they looked set for with the last 15 overs remaining.

However, Mumbai had little trouble in the tricky chase. Prithvi Shaw put on yet another entertaining display of batting to help the



side off to a flying start. He may have survived a few close chances - a drop and edges that fell safely - but through the course of his 44-ball 61 he ascertained his authority against the opposition's best bowler - Mohammad Siraj - by smashing him for 6,6,4 off consecutive deliveries in the ninth over.

However, left-arm spinner Mehdi Hasan's introduction in the 10th over helped break Mumbai's flow. Twice in two overs he struck - dismissing openers Rohit Sharma and Shaw - to reduce Mumbai to 82 for 2 after a 73-run opening stand.

Nonetheless, Ajinkya Rahane and Shreyas Iyer, in contrasting fashion ensured the chase didn't slip from their grasp. Iyer continued his good form and stroked his fourth 50+ score in five innings. The third wicket duo also put on an unbeaten 73-run stand, before rain stopped play. Having scored at more than run-a-ball, Mumbai were well-placed at 155 for 2 in 25 overs.

With this result, Mumbai's unbeaten run in the tournament has continued, and they will meet the winner of the Delhi-Jharkhand clash in the final on Saturday.

Brief Scores: Hyderabad 246/8 in 50 overs (Rohit Rayudu 121*, B Sandeep 29; Tushar Deshpande 3-55, Royston Dias 2-43) lost to Mumbai 155/2 in 25 overs (Prithvi Shaw 61, Shreyas Iyer 55*; Mehdi Hasan 2-23) by 60 runs (VJD Method).