Mumbai secured a commanding 39-run victory over Uttarakhand in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on Tuesday, largely thanks to a blistering knock from wicketkeeper-batter Hardik Tamore. The win keeps Mumbai's campaign in the domestic T20 tournament on a strong footing.
Tamore's Batting Masterclass Sets Up Mumbai
Choosing to bat first after winning the toss, Mumbai's innings was built around a spectacular performance from Hardik Tamore. The right-handed batsman smashed an unbeaten 93 runs off just 57 deliveries. His innings was a blend of power and precision, featuring 10 fours and 4 sixes, which propelled Mumbai to a formidable total of 176 for 5 in their allotted 20 overs.
While Tamore was the undisputed star, he received valuable support from Suved Parkar, who contributed a steady 31 runs. The Uttarakhand bowlers struggled to contain the flow of runs, with Agrim Tiwari being the most successful, claiming two wickets for his side.
Uttarakhand's Chase Falls Short Despite Efforts
In response, Uttarakhand faced an uphill battle from the start. Their chase never quite gained the necessary momentum against a disciplined Mumbai bowling attack. Opener Jiwanjot Singh tried to anchor the innings with a patient 41 off 38 balls, but the required run rate kept climbing.
Some late resistance came from Kunal Chandela, who scored a quickfire 30, and Swapnil Singh, who added 25 runs. However, the team could only manage 137 for 9 by the end of their 20 overs, falling well short of the target. For Mumbai, the bowling honours were shared, with Shivam Dube, Tanush Kotian, and Dhrumil Matkar each taking two wickets to dismantle the Uttarakhand batting lineup.
Other Group C Highlights: Goa, Punjab, and Maharashtra Triumph
The day's action in Group C saw other decisive results. Goa emerged victorious over Assam by 5 wickets in a closely contested match. Assam posted 150 for 7, with Riyan Parag top-scoring at 46. Goa chased down the target with 5 balls to spare, finishing at 154 for 5, led by Snehal Kauthankar's 41 and a crucial 38 from Deepraj Gaonkar.
In another fixture, Punjab defeated Railways by 4 wickets. Railways set a target of 159 for 7, powered by Shivam Chaudhary's 56 and 41 from Mohammad Saif. Punjab's chase was anchored by a superb unbeaten 78 from Anmolpreet Singh, guiding his team to 163 for 6 with 7 balls remaining.
Lastly, Maharashtra beat Manipur by a massive 90 runs. Batting first, Maharashtra piled up 184 for 5, with Kedar Jadhav scoring 58 and Azim Kazi adding 44. Manipur's reply was stifled by the Maharashtra bowlers, collapsing to 94 all out in 17.3 overs. Pradeep Dadhe was the chief destroyer with an impressive bowling spell of 4 wickets for just 12 runs.
The results have significant implications for the points table in Group C. Mumbai, Goa, Punjab, and Maharashtra have all strengthened their positions with these wins, making the race for the knockout stages increasingly competitive. The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy continues to be a vital platform for showcasing domestic talent in Indian cricket.
