Mumbai lift West Zone trophy

The Ranji Trophy league tie between Mumbai and Saurashtra ended in a draw in Mumbai on Tuesday with the hosts ending up with 29 points in the West Zone to lift the Talim trophy.

After the mandatory sixth over was bowled, both the sides mutually agreed to call off the match, which was reduced to a mere formality.

Resuming on their overnight score of 384 for six, Mumbai scored 410 in 115 overs taking a 31-run first innings lead.

Amol Mazumdar, one of the mainstays of Mumbai's batting order, failed to score a ton as he was caught behind by wicket keeper Reuben Paul off Altar Merchant for 93.

None of the other batsmen impressed with the bat as the Mumbai innings folded up soon after Mazumdar's dismissal.

Saurashtra started their second innings on a very dismal note with opener Suit departing early. Skipper Sitanshu Kotak coming in number three was given a severe examination by the Mumbai bolwers but he survived and ended the day with 42 to his credit.

Skipper Kotak kept one end going as the rest of the batsman failed to give him any support.

In sharp contrast to his unsuccessful bowling spell in first innings, Mumbai's Ramesh Power bagged three wickets for 27 runs off 22 overs.

Mumbai will meet Tamil Nadu in its Super League encounter which will begin on January 23.

Orissa-Bengal match ends in a draw

A determined 137 by India wicket keeper Deepdas Gupta and dogged batting by his teammates helped Bengal secure a draw against Orrisa in the East Zone Ranji Trophy match which ended in Barapidi on Tuesday.

Replying to mammoth 671 for six declared, Bengal were 363 for six when the match ended after seven mandatory overs were bowled.

As the first innings of both the teams could not be completed, both were awarded three points by the match referee.

As a result in the East Zone, both finished at the top with 27 points each.

Bengal, who were 193 for two at close on Monday, were required to make an improbable 479 runs on Tuesday to overhaul the total, batted defensively to add a further 170 runs while losing four wickets in the process.

Baroda register outright victory over Maharashtra

Baroda registered an outright six wicket victory over Maharashtra and secured 8 points on the final day of the West Zone Ranji Trophy League match in Prune. Needing 230 runs in 62 overs to win, reached the target in 57 overs, losing just four wickets.

Earlier,Maharashtra were bowled out for 332.

Middle order batsman, Kale, unbeaten on Monday,completed his 6th Ranji century scoring 115.

Baroda started their second knock with opener Connor Williams hitting up 99 runs (6x1, 4x15). His opening partner, Satyajit Parab chipped in with 53 and together, they had a 125-run partnership for the first wicket.

Atul Bedade made a quickfire 24 off just six balls, smashing three sixes and and one four, and also played his part in the team's victory.

For Baroda, Zaheer Khan finished with a haul of five wickets for 107 while Ajit Bhoite claimed 3 for 73.

Mail Cricket Editor