Ranji Trophy: Shams Mulani claims 11 scalps versus Odisha
Left-arm spinner Shams Mulani has powered Mumbai to a comprehensive victory over Odisha in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match. The match was played at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy ground. Mulani's brilliant 5/71 helped Mumbai take the remaining five wickets of Odisha in 119 minutes on Sunday morning. The win by an innings and 103 runs has given Mumbai a much-needed bonus point after a patchy start to their season. Mulani managed 11 scalps in the contest.
Mulani races to 15 five-wicket hauls in First-Class cricket
Mulani's 6/115 and 5/71 helped Mumbai dominate the show against Odisha batters. He now owns 15 five-wicket hauls in FC cricket. He also has seven 10-wicket match hauls in the format. As per ESPNcricinfo, Mulani has claimed 213 scalps in FC cricket at an average of 24.10. In the ongoing Ranji season, Mulani owns 23 wickets from 4 matches for Mumbai at 25.47. He has two fifers.
Mulani's strategic bowling secures victory
Mulani replaced Shardul Thakur in the day's fifth over and made an immediate impact, dismissing Aashirwad Swain (51, 115b, 3x4) lbw off his first ball. He dismissed Debabrata Pradhan, Harshit Rathod and Suryakant Pradhan to complete his fifer. This smart bowling saw Mumbai win despite a fighting 49-minute partnership between Biswal and last-man Sunil Roul before Singh breached Roul's defense.
Mulani reflects on his performance
Mulani, who ripped apart Odisha with six scalps in the latter's first innings, reflected on his performance. "I am happy for the 5-fer. For myself and also because the team needed it," he said. He admitted that bowling was challenging due to limited turn on offer and a small margin of error but expressed satisfaction that his strategy of changing angles and speeds ultimately paid off.
