Scorecard

Cricket is basically about making the best of the chances you get. In trouble after their disastrous first innings, Mumbai came storming back on Wednesday, the fourth day of their Ranji Trophy final against Tamil Nadu at the Wankhede stadium, in Mumbai, to end the day in the driver's seat.

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the hosts set Tamil Nadu a daunting target of 377 for victory.

In reply, Tamil Nadu ended the day on 102 for the loss of three wickets, 275 away from what will be an unbelievable victory.

Resuming at the overnight score of 228 for four, Mumbai added 99 runs in the morning session, losing overnight batsman Amol Mazumdar, Sairaj Bahutule and Ajit Agarkar in the process. But it was evident that the Mumbai batsmen were playing to a plan. They were aggressive from the outset, knowing that nothing less than a win was needed to regain the coveted crown that has eluded them for the past three years.

The Tamil Nadu medium pacers failed to utilise the early morning dew and were unable to bowl a good line and length, often bowling on both sides of the wicket.

Tamil Nadu skipper S Suresh claimed the wicket of Mazumdar (7) early in the day, inducing an edge which was gleefully held by wicketkeeper Raju.

Bahutule was unfortunate to be run-out for 27. The all-rounder, who seemed to be making the best of his stay in the middle, hit two fours and a six.

Bhavin Thakker was the rock around which the rest of the Mumbai innings revolved. He kept his part of the deal as the rest of the batsmen went for their strokes and shared an important 80-run partnership with Ramesh Powar, who was 53 not out, off 64 balls, at the end of the innings.

Thakker, who retired hurt due to cramps in his feet, made 66, off 138 balls, while medium pacer M R Srinivas ended up as the highest wicket-taker for Tamil Nadu, picking 3 for 73.

The hosts declared their second innings at 387 for 7, setting the visitors a daunting 377 to win.

Mumbai struck a vital blow almost immediately as Tamil Nadu stared their second essay, having opener Sadagoppan Ramesh caught in the covers by Wasim Jaffer off Ajit Agarkar for 6.

The left-hander played uppishly into the covers and Jaffer, after fumbling a bit, held on, much to the relief of his team mates.

Agarkar was unlucky not to snare another wicket in the same over as left-hander Sridharan Sriram was dropped by Vinayak Mane in the slips even before the batsman had opened his account.

At Tea, Tamil Nadu were 44 for 1.

It was game of cat and mouse thereafter. Mumbai were looking to claim wickets while Tamil Nadu were trying to score runs at a not-too-high a cost.

In this scenario, it was surprising to see leg-spinner Bahutule bowl round the wicket, into the rough. It is not a very attacking line and though it reduced the flow of runs to a trickle, it is not what Mumbai should have been doing.

And, just when things seemed to be settling down for Tamil Nadu, S Sriram was caught right in front of his stumps, deceived by Bahutule's flight and turn. Tamil Nadu were reduced to 62 for the loss of two wickets.

A brilliant piece of bowling by Mumbai skipper Paras Mhambery sent Tamil Nadu skipper Suresh (44) back to the pavilion on the same score. After bowling outswingers for most of his spell, Mhambery got a delivery to cut in, totally deceiving his opposite number and sending his off-stump flying. That was the last taste of success Mumbai had for the day.

S Badrinath and H Badani, then, stuck to their task, showing determination and courage to take the score to 102 for 3 at the end of day 4.

The Tamil Nadu batsmen will need to play out of their skins to hold out on the fifth and final day with a resurgent Mumbai attack baying for blood.

Scorecard