Hosts have a party with tough task ahead

Having conceded an 11-run lead, Mumbai were 228 for 4 in the second innings with two days still left in the match.

But the day belonged to Jaffer and Shetty and their two contrasting innings. Jaffer made his intentions clear that he meant business with caressing drives, silken flicks and awesome pulls. Matching him stroke for stroke, Shetty punished anything that came his way.

But while Shetty notched his second Ranji century, Jaffer (98) was unfortunate to miss out on the three-figure mark for the second time in this match. He scored 83 in the first innings.

The 30-year-old Shetty was also lucky to thrive on three dropped catches, the last when he was on 91. While Jaffer showed a sensible approach in the middle part of his innings, Shetty refused to be kept quiet. He drove and cut and even pulled a few lofted shots with power and precision. He soon overtook Jaffer and as if to show his dominance carted left-arm spinner S Sriram over square leg for the only six of the match thus far.

Once in the 80’s both batsmen became cautious, relying more on singles than boundaries. Shetty still remained steadfast and drove past the bowler to register his century in style b ut was out to an indiscreet shot, caught at gully off Shriniwas.

Later, he appeared to regret letting his guard down. ‘‘I’m not happy at all to get out at 100 when it was expected of me to build on a big innings,’’ Shetty said later. The batsman had apparently received an earful from coach Chandrakant Pandit in the dressing room. ‘‘I toppled all his (Pandit’s) plans. Now we will have to come up with a new strategy tomorrow. One should never throw his wicket when the situation depends heavily on him.’’

Jaffer didn’t agree that it was a duplication of failure for him following his unsuccessful attempt of getting a hundred in the first innings. ‘‘I think I was not destined to get it here. I played my game, but then luck does not favour you always.’’

Another reason for the downfall, he added, was ‘‘tiredness’’. ‘‘Perhaps the three runs I ran for my partner at my individual score of 98 made all the difference.’’

Coach Pandit said Jaffer was an experienced man. ‘‘It happens sometimes. You can’t help it.’’ The former India player, however, was really disappointed with Shetty’s wicket. ‘‘His scalp and the two wickets that followed his, have forced me to change all the strategies for tomorrow. I was banking on Shetty heavily to find us in a strong position. I hope he learns from the mistake.’’

Obviously, the focus has now shifted from the batsmen to the bowlers from either side. Tomorrow’s first session will be crucial for both the teams. Tamil Nadu is not as confident about their bowlers as Mumbai is. Tamil Nadu coach Bharati Arun has gone on record saying his attack was weaker compared to the rival camp. Pandit too seemes to have drawn inspiration from the observation. ‘‘Let my boys put on a decent total on the morrow. The rest, I am sure, will be done by our bowlers.’’