Bowlers helped Saurashtra successfully defend a small total and record an exciting four-run victory in the West Zone Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 league at the SCA stadium here today.
Chasing Saurashtra's modest tally of 142 for 9, Maharashtra started well in their quest to score their second win on the trot in as many days before falling short, ending up at 138 for 7.
Maharashtra, who defeated Gujarat in their opening game yesterday, began in right earnest when openers Ruturaj Gaekwad, top scorer with 41 in 27 balls, and Rahul Tripathi (20) put on 60 runs in 7.4 overs.
But once Tripathi was dismissed by Bhavnagar-born leggie Yuvraj Chudasama who also accounted for Gaekwad five runs later, Maharashtra lost their way.
Ankit Bhawne, Naushad Shaikh and Nikhil Naik got the starts before departing. They were 123 for 4 at the beginning of the 19th over, lost Shrikant Mundhe to the second ball. Then, with 12 required in the final over, lost the wickets off the first and last balls and fell short of the target.
For Saurashtra, Shaurya Sanandya picked up 2 wickets along with Chudasama (2/26) while skipper Jaydev Unadkat returned with figures of 1/32 and also effected a run-out.
Earlier, choosing to bat first the hosts were three down for 40 before the end of the power play, and then recovered through a small, but important, 34-run partnership between Vishvarajsinh Jadeja and Prerak Mankad (34).
Thereafter wickets were lost frequently and Saurashtra ended up with a none-too-impressive total before their bowlers brought them back into the game.
Domnic Muthuswamy, who was the pick of the bowlers against Gujarat Yesterday, again impressed with a two-wicket haul along with fellow medium-pacer Mundhe.
Both of them came up with identical bowling analysis of 2 for 27 while left arm spinner Jagdish Zope also picked up 2 wickets while giving away 27 runs.
Saurashtra secured four points.
Meanwhile, in the second match of the day, Mumbai defeated Gujarat by five wickets in a thriller, to record their first win of the tournament.
Mumbai batsmen Jay Bista (50) Surya Kumar Yadav (45 not out) played a key role in the team's victory, which they achieved with just four balls to spare while chasing a challenging 167/7 put up by Gujarat.
Surya Kumar Yadav, who hit two fours and as many sixes, helped them romp home as he remained unbeaten on 45.
For Gujarat, Piyush Chawla returned with figures of 2-29.
Earlier, Gujarat pilled up 167/7 on the board with their wicket-keeper Dhruv Rawal top scoring with a quick fire 73 in 34 balls. His knock was laced with nine boundaries and four sixes.
Skipper Axar Patel scored a run-a-ball 35 striking a four and a six as he helped his team pass the 150-run-mark.
For Mumbai, senior pro Dhawal Kulkarni was the pick of the bowlers as he returned with figures of 3-32. Kulkarni also effected a run-out while T U Deshpande, Parikshit Valsangkar and Shardul Thakur grabbed a wicket each.
With the win, Mumbai get four points.
Brief scores: Saurashtra 142 for 9 (Prerak Mankad 34; Domnic Muthuswamy 2 for 27, Shrikant Mundhe 2 for 27, Jagdish Zope 2 for 27) beat Maharashtra 138 for 7 (Ruturaj Gaekwad 41; Shaumya Sanandiya 2 for 37, Yuvraj Chudasama 2 for 26).
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)