Desperately on the lookout for a win in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, Mumbai found themselves on the brighter side as they thrashed Andhra Pradesh in a one-sided encounter at Chennai. Mumbai went into the game with just two wins out of four games and needed a victory to keep their hopes of making it to the next round alive. With a victory out here today, they now have 3 victories from 5 games and are in the consideration for the Quarter Finals.
The game was under immense spotlight thanks to the returning Rohit Sharma, who marked his return to competitive cricket for the first time since the fifth ODI against New Zealand at Vizag in late October. Batting wise, though, it was an ordinary outing for the Indian opener as he was dismissed 16 off 33 deliveries while batting at 4.
Thanks to a fighting half-century from Siddhesh Lad, Mumbai got to 231-8 in 50 overs and it seemed to be a defendable total. The Mumbai batsmen got off to starts but failed to convert them into big scores.
Eventually, the bowlers stood out as Dhawal Kulkarni was sensational picking up an early wicket. After a promising second wicket stand, Mumbai struck back with pacer Shardul Thakur chipping in with a couple of wickets.
From there on, Andhra Pradesh lost wickets frequently as 45-year-old leg-spinner Pravin Tambe bowled a miserly spell of 2-26 in 10 overs to choke AP down. In the end, AP was bowled out for 188 and just within the 39th over.
This win is bound to offer massive confidence to Mumbai and keeps their campaign alive.