The AQI on the weather app varied between 127 and 140. But multiple Mumbai cricketers, including Sarfaraz Khan, his brother Musheer and Himanshu Singh, wore masks. The Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), where at the MCA ground the Mumbai versus Delhi Ranji Trophy match is being played, is a commercial hub and non-stop construction work has made the area dusty. Precaution/prevention is always better than cure.
Mohit Avasthi is 33 years old and sort of became the forgotten man in Mumbai cricket. A shoulder ligament tear had sidelined him and he had to walk a long road to return to the first-class fold. Avasthi believed. Shardul Thakur’s injury gave him another opportunity. The seamer returned with 5/62 from 16.4 overs, as Delhi, from 111/1 at one stage, folded up for 221 in their first innings on the first day. Mumbai have already qualified for the knockouts, while Delhi are out. Avasthi getting into the groove would augur well for the 42-time Ranji Trophy champions going ahead.
“I had a shoulder ligament tear on my bowling arm. It had to take time for recovery. It was really tough since it’s difficult to get back in your zone and rhythm as a fast bowler,” Avasthi told reporters after the day’s play. The delivery he bowled to dismiss Ayush Doseja was the ball of the day. It squared up the Delhi captain before taking the edge to the ‘keeper.
For Delhi, Sanat Sangwan was the silver lining. The opener mixed caution with aggression and showed resilience on his way to 118 off 218 balls — his third century of the season. A cover drive off Tushar Deshpande took him to the landmark.
“The first session wasn’t easy and we had to apply ourselves. We could have got a few more runs,” Sangwan said, adding: “But it’s been a good season for me, I wanted to produce long innings. The Delhi-Mumbai contest is always a tight match, so I will call it one of my best hundreds.”
Dust factor
Coming back to the dust factor and the players wearing masks, the MCA curator at BKC, Nadim Memon, said: “We sent out a request to the BKC senior police inspector and site construction manager regarding the noise and dust pollution. We told them our players would get affected. You just cover the area so that they won’t be affected. We are seeking co-operation from them. If they don’t, then we will talk with their superiors.”
Mumbai finished the day on 13/1.
Brief scores: Delhi 221 all out (Sanat Sangwan 118; Mohit Avasthi 5/62) vs Mumbai 13/1
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