• sportzyverse
• Cricket news
• 03/03/2024
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In a disheartening turn of events, Shreyas Iyer’s much-anticipated return to the Mumbai cricket team in the Ranji Trophy encountered a rocky start as the batter faltered, managing only 3 runs off 8 balls before being dismissed.

Absence from Central Contract

Facing off against Tamil Nadu, Mumbai’s hopes of chasing down their opponent’s first-innings score of 146 were dampened as Iyer fell victim to Sandeep Warrier’s bowling, adding to Mumbai’s woes as they lost five wickets in their pursuit.

Iyer’s return to domestic cricket follows his exclusion from the BCCI’s central contracts, a decision shared with Ishan Kishan. Despite being part of the squad for the England series and featuring in the first two matches, Iyer’s absence from subsequent fixtures, coupled with a lack of clarity regarding his injury status, raised questions about his future in the national setup.

Amidst speculation about his injury and subsequent exclusion from the national squad, Iyer’s return to the Ranji Trophy was eagerly anticipated. However, his early dismissal reflects the challenging phase he finds himself in, both on and off the field.

Mumbai’s Hopes Rest on Musheer Khan

With Mumbai facing a collapse on Day two of the semifinal, the onus now falls on Musheer Khan to salvage the innings. Partnering with Ajinkya Rahane, Musheer’s resilient batting helped Mumbai recover from early setbacks, providing a glimmer of hope amidst the adversity.

However, Tamil Nadu’s Sai Kishore emerged as the nemesis, disrupting Mumbai’s momentum with crucial wickets, including that of the in-form Shams Mulani, to complete a five-wicket haul. Mumbai’s fortunes now hang in the balance as they seek to navigate through a challenging phase in the Ranji Trophy semifinal.