Rahane powers Mumbai into the final

On the attack: Ajinkya Rahane’s aggressive knock helped Mumbai storm into the final of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament on Friday.
| Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR

Ajinkya Rahane (98, 56b, 11×4, 5×6) tore into the Baroda attack to give Mumbai a six-wicket win in their Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy semifinal at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Friday.

Rahane put on a brilliant attacking display, using classical shots to maximum effect. The 36-year-old made light of the 159-run target set by Baroda, helping his side reach the finish line in 17.2 overs.

Mumbai will take on Madhya Pradesh in the final here on Sunday.

Rahane’s intent was clear early, as the opener hit left-arm pacer Lukman Meriwala for two fours and a six in the first three deliveries he faced.

Rahane flourished in the company of captain Shreyas Iyer (46, 30b, 4×4, 3×6), who proved to be an able foil. The duo put on 88 runs for the second wicket, which took Baroda out of the contest.

Batting first, Baroda could only manage a modest score.  Krunal Pandya made a handy 30, but the side’s star player Hardik Pandya fell cheaply for five. Shivalik Sharma (36 n.o., 24b, 2×4, 2×6) and Atit Sheth (22, 14b, 2×4, 1×6) came good at the death.

In the second semifinal, Madhya Pradesh rode on fine knocks from Rajat Patidar (66 n.o., 29b, 4×4, 6×6) and Harpreet Singh (46 n.o., 38b, 4×4, 2×6) to knock Delhi out.

Patidar and Harpreet added an unbroken 106-run fourth-wicket stand to guide Madhya Pradesh to victory.

After being put in, Delhi failed to get going and finished with a disappointing 146 for five. Only Anuj Rawat
 (33 n.o.) and Priyansh Arya (29) managed to get among the runs, even as the run-rate stayed under par.

Madhya Pradesh skipper Venkatesh Iyer scalped two wickets in two overs with his medium pace.

The scores: Baroda 158/7 in 20 overs (Shashwat Rawat 33, Krunal Pandya 30,  Shivalik Sharma 36 n.o.) lost to Mumbai 164/4 in 17.2 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 98, Shreyas Iyer 46). Toss: Mumbai, PoM: Ajinkya Rahane

Delhi 146/5 in 20 overs (Priyansh Arya 29, Anuj Rawat 33 n.o.) lost to Madhya Pradesh 152/3 in 15.4 overs (Harsh Gawali 30, Harpreet Singh 46 n.o., Rajat Patidar 66 n.o). Toss: MP, PoM: Rajat Patidar.