The third day's play in the Ranji Trophy Super League Group 'A' match between holders Mumbai and Saurashtra has negated an age-old axiom. Slow and steady may win the race in books but when it comes to reality, being slow is tantamount to losing an opportunity, or on second thought, not trying hard enough so as to delay the inevitable.

There were criticisms from some quarters about the visitors' tediously slow batting, that apart from nullifying any result possibility, also succeeded in ensuring boredom. But Mumbai seemed to have taken a clue or two from their guests.

The defending champions, when they began their innings, happily settled for the slow-and-steady approach adopted by Saurashtra, and even went a step further by scoring even slower (only 187 runs for the loss of two wickets) in what was without doubt one of the most dull and drab days in this Ranji season so far.

The result wasn't something positive either - as it had been in the case of Saurashtra who in any case needed only a draw to progress.

• Delhi on verge of securing outright win over TN

Mumbai, who needed to do their bit and get a bit of help from other quarters, are now left with the daunting task of scoring 299 runs on the final day's play on Friday, to take the first innings lead and keep alive any hopes of reaching the last four.

The fact that, Delhi - who need to lose to help Mumbai's cause - are well on their way to an outright victory over Tamil Nadu in Chennai - at 10 for no loss, chasing a meager 105 for a win - though in all likelihood put the final nail in the defending champion's coffin.

Not that the quandary they are in bothers the defending champions much. Or may be they have resigned themselves to fate and accepted the eventuality.

"There are no expectations tomorrow. We'll just go out on the field and enjoy our game," said Amol Muzumdar. The Mumbai captain, playing in his 100th Ranji game, is poised to score his first hundred of the season having ended the day unbeaten on 86.

And it was his laborious 148-run partnership with Ajinkya Rahane (83 not out) that ensured the home team didn't suffer any further damage after going into lunch at 39/2 - with both Sahil Kukreja (10) and Vinit Indulkar (0) falling cheaply.

The captain didn't seem quite happy at the present scheme of things but refrained from saying much.

"I will give you an honest answer tomorrow," he said. But he did drop a hint when told that Mumbai had failed to win any of their home matches this season.

"That's where the whole story lies. You got to take the home advantage," he said, hinting that he may well have preferred a turning track.

Earlier in the day, Saurashtra, resuming at their overnight score of 465/9, survived 12 overs and added another 19 runs before Moondeep Mangela had tail ender Sanjib Maniar (26) caught by Kukreja. Mangela, with figures of 5/105, was the most successful bowler for the home team.

Shitanshu Kotak, who had scored a patient hundred after batting for nearly two days, remained unbeaten on 168. Kotak, who had been criticised and questioned for his slow batting, was smiling at the end of the day, and certainly feeling vindicated.

"The ball was certainly not coming to the bat as well," he said. "They (Mumbai) despite trying to bat aggressively could only score at two-runs-per-over." The veteran player, with his team having almost ensured qualification, was already looking forward to the semi-finals.

"Baroda would be an easier opponent to play than Uttar Pradesh," he said, the satisfaction in his face being quite palpable.

For barring any miracle, it can be safely said that Delhi and Saurashtra are the two semi-finalists from Group 'A' and Mumbai should, in its own interest, do well by doing a post mortem of the drawbacks of this season and start preparing in advance for the next.

Scorecard:

Saurashtra (1st innings, overnight 465/9):
K Vaghela c Samant b Hussain 35
S Jogiyani b Hussain 5
S Kotak not out 168
C Pujara b Mangela 63
N Rathod c Samant b Mangela 13
J Shah c Sharma b Mangela 10
R Jadeja c Rahane b Kulkarni 87
R Dhurv c Muzumdar b Mangela 27
K Makvana c Kukreja b Hussain 0
S Jobanputra c Indulkar b Hussain 0
S Maniar not out 14
S Maniar c Kukreja b Mangela 26
Extras: (b 9, lb 18, w 7, nb 16) 50
Total (all out in 191.2 overs) 484

Fall of wickets:1-11, 2-92, 3-212, 4-230, 5-245, 6-399, 7-441, 8-444, 9-444, 10-484

Bowling: M Hussain 41-8-103-4, M Mangela 46.2-16-105-5, A Nayar 28-10-43-0, R Powar 31-10-75-0, N Kulkarni 33-7-96-1, A Muzumdar 5-1-14-0, R Sharma 7-0-21-0

Mumbai (1st innings):
S Kukreja lbw b Vaghela 10
A Rahane not out 83
V Indulkar c Jogiyani b Jobanputra 0
A Muzumdar not out 86
Extras: (lb 3, w 1, nb 4) 8
Total: (for 2 wickets in 76 overs) 187

Fall of wickets:1-38, 2-39

Bowling: S Jobanputra 17.2-2-56-1, S Maniar 17.4-6-37-0, K Vaghela 14-8-21-1, R Jadeja 22-5-52-0, R Dhurv 5-2-18-0