NEW DELHI: Out-of-favour India batter Shreyas Iyer failed to make an impact with the bat in the Ranji Trophy semifinal match between Mumbai and Tamil Nadu on Sunday. Representing the 41-time champions Mumbai, Iyer was dismissed by Tamil Nadu pacer Sandeep Warrier for just 3 runs in their first innings.
The match, which took place at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy BKC in Mumbai, saw Mumbai losing their skipper Ajinkya Rahane after a brief 43-run partnership with Musheer Khan. However, Iyer could not stop the Tamil Nadu resurgence and was clean bowled by Warrier soon after his captain’s fall. Mumbai was reduced to 96/5 at that point.

Tamil Nadu skipper B Sai Kishore led the fight back with the ball after Tushar Deshpande and Shardul Thakur starred for Mumbai on the opening day. Tamil Nadu had a meek display on Day 1, getting bowled out for just 146 in the first innings.

On the second day, Sai Kishore (5/31 in 20 overs) completed his five-wicket haul as Mumbai struggled at 125/7 at lunch. However, Mumbai managed to shave off a significant chunk of the first-innings deficit and trailed the visitors by just 21 runs at the end of Day 2’s first session.

It was a disappointing outing for Iyer, who would have hoped for a better performance on his return to domestic cricket after failing to secure BCCI’s central contracts. Unfortunately, he could not deliver in the first innings.
It was a remarkable comeback by Tamil Nadu, and they were able to put Mumbai under pressure in the match after a dismal opening day.