Half-centuries from Ajinkya Rahane and Suryakumar Yadav have put Mumbai on top against Haryana in their quarterfinal clash at the Eden Gardens. By stumps, Mumbai have a lead of 292 with six wickets still in hand. Prior to those batting heroics, Mumbai had Shardul Thakur to thank for as he cleaned up the Haryana lower order on the third morning to give his side a slender 14-run first innings lead.
Resuming at 263/5, Haryana managed to add 38 runs in the morning with Shardul picking two wickets in an over twice after having struck already once in the very first over of the day to eventually finish with six wickets. Mumbai then got off to a quick start before Haryana reduced them to 100/3.
At this point, the game was still evenly poised before Rahane and Suryakumar were involved in a century stand. Suryakumar batted in typical fashion, making 70 off just 86 deliveries before getting dismissed. Rahane however remained unbeaten on 88 by stumps with Shivam Dube racing to 30* off just 41.
Vidarbha vs Tamil Nadu
Vidarbha consolidated their position against Tamil Nadu after another productive day in Nagpur. TN, who were reeling at 159/6 by stumps on the second day, were dragged to 225 by Sonu Yadav before Aditya Thakare completed his five-wicket haul.
After a solid 35-run opening stand, Vidarbha found themselves in a spot of bother as Yadav and Sai Kishore reduced the home side to 61/3. Karun Nair steadied the ship for a brief period but when TN picked two quick wickets again, they had a real chance of having a go at the lower order.
However, Yash Rathod and Harsh Dubey showcased composure to deny the visitors anymore breakthroughs until stumps. Their unbroken 55-run partnership helped Vidarbha stay on top of this contest as they went into stumps with a huge lead of 297.
Saurashtra vs Gujarat
Gujarat's batting might came to their aid as they emerged as firm favourites by stumps on the third day to make it to the last four. Saurashtra's bowlers were put under the pump by Urvil Patel who hammered 140 off just 197 deliveries. He forged useful partnerships with the likes of Chintan Gaja and Ravi Bishnoi whereas Jaymeet Patel completed his ton earlier in the day.
All these efforts ensured Gujarat went past the 500-run mark as they finished with a first-innings lead of 295. Even though the Saurashtra openers managed to bat out 16 overs for no damage by stumps, they need a herculean effort to turn the tide even though there are two full days remaining in the game.
Jammu and Kashmir vs Kerala
An eventful day of cricket at the MCA Stadium in Pune saw Jammu and Kashmir fetch a lead of 179 by stumps. J&K, who were primed to take the first innings, were stunned by Kerala's resistance on the third morning. Needing 81 runs for the first innings lead with only one wicket remaining, Kerala just about got the job done on the back of Salman Nizar's stunning unbeaten century.
Basil Thampi and Nizar exactly added 81 for the last wicket to fetch a one-run lead before MD Nidheesh appeared to put Kerala well and truly on top by removing the openers early. And when Vivrant Sharma was sent packing for 37, J&K were in trouble with the lead at only 77. But skipper Paras Dogra and keeper-bat Kanhaiya Wadhawan helped J&K fight back again on the back of a watchful century stand. Dogra, the 40-year-old veteran, went into stumps unbeaten on 73 and will have to continue the good work on the fourth day to put his side in command.
