In a major disappointment for the Mumbai U-23 team, Vidarbha advanced to the finals after they beat Mumbai by an innings and 64 runs at the Wankhede Stadium on March 3. The hosts faced a horror defeat after Aditya Thakare ran through the Mumbai batting lineup in the second innings. The 21-year-old helped Vidarbha finish the match in just two days and ended with the figures of five for 34.
The Vidharbha bowling attack was too good for Mumbai as they castled the batsmen for the second time in two days. Despite a formidable attempt by Mumbai's middle-order batsmen, the team were ousted of a semi-final again by Vidarbha. Previously, in the U-19 Cooch Behar semi-final, Mumbai was handed a defeat by Vidarbha.
As the middle-order looked to settle down in the second innings, left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey scalped three wickets in his seven-over spell including the wicket of in-form Sarfaraz Khan. Khan had top-scored for Mumbai in the first innings with 40 and tried his best to bring Mumbai back in the match.
Along with Chinmay Sutar, Khan tried to turn the match in Mumbai's favour bur the Vidarbha bowlers failed all attempts made by them.
On Day 1, the hosts were easily dominated by Vidarbha at the proceedings after its bowling attack dismissed the Mumbai U-23 team for a paltry 94. In reply, Vidarbha had sustained to see another day with 111 for six at stumps.
Wicketkeeper Siddhesh Wath's 80 helped the visitors put a formidable target of 272 on the board in first innings and build pressure in the high-voltage match. Meanwhile, Minad Manjrekar was the star bowler for Vidarbha as he scalped six wickets in the first innings.
Brief Scores: Vidarbha 272 in 77 overs (S Wath 80; M Manjrekar 6/80 beat Mumbai 94 and 114 by an innings & 64 runs)
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