KER vs MUM

Mumbai beat Kerala by 232 runs, pocket six points.

Shams Mulani's 5/44 wreaked havoc on the fourth morning as Kerala collapsed to 94 all out, handing Mumbai a whopping 232-run win in Thiruvananthapuram. Sanju Samson was left stranded on an unbeaten 15 as he saw wickets fall around him like ninepins. Kerala failed to put up a fight and having begun the game superbly for a good part of the first two days, they have been left to lick their wounds. Mumbai, on the other hand, have romped home to their third consecutive win, taking their tally to 20 points from three matches.

Stumps on Day 3 - Kerala 24/0 in the 2nd innings, need 303 more runs to win.

All three results are up for grabs in this riveting contest in Thiruvananthapuram. Mumbai's second innings came to a close at 319 with Mohit Avasthi (32) and Shams Mulani (30) stretching the lead to 326 even as Shreyas Gopal mopped up the tail. The openers got through six overs unscathed thereafter and with 303 more runs to get on the final day, Kerala will look to script a famous win even as Mumbai's eyes remain set on snagging these ten wickets for a third win on the bounce.

Tea on Day 3 - Mumbai 266/7, lead Kerala by 273 runs in the 2nd innings.

Kerala needed a strong comeback and their bowlers have provided them with the same, snaring five wickets in the post-Lunch session. Ajinkya Rahane managed to score just 16 and it was the Jalaj Saxena show with the off-spinner snagging four out of the five wickets to fall, including that of Rahane and Shivam Dube (1). Can Mumbai stretch their lead beyond 300?

Lunch on Day 3 - Mumbai 189/2, lead Kerala by 196 runs in the 2nd innings.

Another fine morning for Mumbai as they extended their lead over hosts Kerala. Jay Bista was the first man to fall for 73 before skipper Ajinkya Rahane (11*) got his first runs of the season at last. He will be keen to make it count even as Bhupen Lalwani fell for 88 right at the stroke of Lunch. Kerala need to trigger a collapse similar to what Mumbai orchestrated on Day 2 in order to bounce back into the contest.

Stumps on Day 2 - Mumbai 105/0, lead Kerala by 112 runs in the 2nd innings.

In a dramatic turn of events, Kerala slumped from 221/4 to 244 all out as they came crashing down like a pack of cards. Mohit Avasthi's 7/57 wrecked the hosts' batting lineup after Sanju Samson (38 off 36) failed to convert his brisk start. In response, Mumbai rode their strong wave of momentum with openers Jay Bista (59*) and Bhupen Lalwani (41*) getting through the rest of the day unscathed.

Lunch on Day 2 - Kerala 134/3, trail Mumbai by 117 runs in the 1st innings.

Rohan Kunnummal's breezy 56 has set Kerala up to take the lead in their third round fixture against Mumbai. A positive start by the hosts has continued to extend their dominance on the contest even as Mohit Avasthi's double strike kept the game in the balance before Kunnummal's 63-run partnership with Sachin Baby (26*). Skipper Sanju Samson (19*) has begun positively himself and all eyes will be affixed on him in the post-Lunch session.

Stumps on Day 1 - Mumbai 251 all out in the 1st innings.

Tanush Kotian made his presence felt with the bat again but he was the last man to fall for 51 as Shreyas Gopal breached his defense. Mumbai have been bowled out at the stroke of Stumps on Day 1, capping off an excellent day for Kerala. Gopal was the pick of the lot with returns of 4/28 and it's now onto the batters led by Sanju Samson to dictate terms on Day 2.

Tea on Day 1 - Mumbai 187/7 in the 1st innings.

Shivam Dube continued his rich vein of form and extended it into the red ball game, scoring 51 as Mumbai looked to crawl their way back into the contest. Dube was caught behind off the bowling of Shreyas Gopal though as Kerala continue to have a strong foothold on the contest. Can Tanush Kotian (13*) and Mohit Avasthi (9*) defy the bowlers in the final session today?

Lunch on Day 1 - Mumbai 117/5 in the 1st innings.

It was the worst possible start for Mumbai in their third round clash against Kerala as they lost Jay Bista and skipper Ajinkya Rahane off the first two deliveries of the game. Basil Thampi was the wrecker-in-chief even as the hosts were asked to bowl first in Thiruvananthapuram and while Prasad Pawar (28) and Bhupen Lalwani (50) put the innings back on track, both batters fell in quick succession to leave the team in disarray. Shivam Dube (9*) and Shams Mulani (2*) ensured no further damage before Lunch but it is a tall order that stands in front of them.