Mumbai, as defending champions, were expected to dominate the 2010 Ranji season. But they struggled to make the knock-out stage. The luck factor in their entry into quarterfinals cannot be brushed aside.
The 38-time champions have been anything but consistent. They managed only one outright in seven league outings – the lone win coming against minnows Himachal Pradesh. If there were old rules, Wasim Jaffer’s team would have struggled to make the next grade. Mumbai finished third in the Group A with 19 points from one win and six draws while Tamil Nadu (26) and Punjab (19) were top two sides in the group. The holders will meet Haryana in the quarterfinals in Rohtak from December 24.
Batting, led by Jaffer, has been decent, but not dominating. Ajinkya Rahane has also been in good nick. Rohit Sharma has had a poor start before bouncing back with a century against Railways on a turning track. His 309 — against Gujarat in the last league game — could not have come at more opportune time. Abhishek Nayar, however, has not done justice to his billing.
But Mumbai’s worry is in bowling. Not a single bowler has managed a five-wicket haul. Ramesh Powar, who suffered side strain during his match-saving 125 against Punjab, has not been in good form, taking only six wickets in four games. Left-arm spinner Iqbal Abdulla is the highest wicket-taker with 24 wickets.
The fast bowlers, too, have failed to be penetrative. Mumbai got the services of Zaheer Khan in the first two games but the team could not take the advantage. Veteran pacer Ajit Agarkar has been below par. Mumbai coach Praveen Amre said: “There were some circumstances that went against us, like the rains during the Orissa match. We would have liked to have the momentum but things did not go as per our plans. It would have been great had we topped the table which could have given us immense boost.
“We did not bowl well when it mattered and none of our bowlers could take a five-wicket haul. But we will have to put up a good show against Haryana because it is a knock-out game. They have some good players in Amit Mishra, Sunny Singh and hence we can’t take them lightly,” Amre said.
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