Chavans ton leaves MP on the brink

Having to compete with Iqbal Abdulla for the slot of the left-arm spinner in Mumbais side meant 26-year old Chavan faced a hard time in breaking into the playing eleven.

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While it was the turn of Kaustubh Pawar to impress on the second day,emerging all-rounder Ankeet Chavan hit his maiden century on Day Three to help Mumbai reach 434 in reply to Madhya Pradeshs first innings score of 192.

The visitors had already claimed the lead on the previous day,but the time spent in the middle by Chavan in the company of the tail ensured that Madhya Pradesh now have limited time to force a result the only way they can move into the last four.

Having to compete with Iqbal Abdulla for the slot of the left-arm spinner in Mumbais side meant 26-year old Chavan faced a hard time in breaking into the playing eleven. Despite receiving the call up to the Ranji team four years back,Chavan had managed to play just five first class games before the quarterfinal,three of which have come this season.

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When the chance did come his way in Mumbais last league game against Punjab,he grabbed it with both hands. Coming in as the no. 6,the southpaw cracked a 73 and picked up four wickets in the second innings to help Mumbai to an outright win.

Chavan started the day unbeaten on 57,and though overnight batsman Pawar (161) departed early,he rallied with the tail,adding 68 runs with last man Balwinder Singh Sandhu to post his first ton. Chavan ended the day unbeaten on 102,having seen Mumbai assume a first innings lead of 242 runs. TP Sudhindra picked picked up five wickets for the home team.

Though he came in only at the fall of the seventh wicket,Chavans innings wasnt one that can be associated with that of a tailender. He got behind the line comfortably and his driving was text book. An indicator of his straight bat play was the fact that a majority of his runs came in the V. Chavan said the competition in the Mumbai side was so fierce that the bowlers had to bring extra to their game if they are to be picked.

At stumps,MP were 250 for 3 in their second innings,having taken an eight-run lead. The hosts started at a blistering pace,with Naman Ojha slamming three consecutive sixes in Powars first over. Opener Zafar Ali and Udit Birla too got starts but failed to make a big score. With Mohinsh Mishra batting on 55 and skipper Devendra Bundela on one,MP will look to throw their bat around in the first session on Thursday,before they invite Mumbai to chase,in an attempt to go for the outright win.

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BRIEF SCORES: MP 192 & 250 /3 (Naman Ojha 85,Mohnish Mishra 61,Udit Birla 55) vs Mumbai 434 (Kaustabh Pawar 161,Ankeet Chavan not out 102; TP Sudhindra 5/96)