Mumbai, Nov 4: Railways trail by 190 runs with two wickets in hand after stumps on the third day of their four-day Ranji Trophy clash against Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium. The visitors were 380/8 after 118 overs with Krishnakant Upadhyay (19) and A Kathuria (15) at the crease.

Although the hosts were in a commanding position for the first two days, their failure to make early inroads into the Railways line-up has reduced the possibility to push for an outright win.

Earlier in the day, after resuming their innings at 86 for two, Nitin Bhille and Sanjay Bangar took Railways past the 100-run mark. They saw off the Mumbai pacers and continued to attack Ramesh Powar today as well. Bhille lofted the spinner over long-on and into the stands for a six and a while later Bangar first smashed him for a four to bring up his half-century and then sent him over deep mid-wicket for a six.

After Mumbai’s pace trio – Zaheer Khan, Ajit Agarkar and Dhawal Kulkarni – bended their backs without success in the morning session, it was finally Abhishek Nayar who got the hosts their first breakthrough of the day with the wicket of the Railways captain. Bangar departed after hitting Nayar straight to Iqbal Abdulla at extra-cover ending the third-wicket partnership for 110-runs.

Parag Madkaikar who replaced Bangar was soon dismissed by Powar for 11. There was temporary respite for the left-arm spinner after he changed ends. Bowling from the Pavilion end, he picked the wicket of Madkaikar who was caught by Kaustubh Pawar at short-leg. Mahesh Rawat then joined Bhille and the duo took Railways to 184 for four at lunch. 98 runs were added in the first session for the loss of two wickets.

After a good day in the field in the first session, Mumbai witnessed a lapse in fielding once again when Pawar dropped Bhille off Ajit Agarkar in the second session. The ball seemed to follow the fielder even after he changed his position; this time he was at second slip after missing a few at third slip yesterday. However the missed chance didn’t cost Mumbai much. In the pacer’s next over Pawar held on to a catch to send back Bhille for 73.

With half the side back in the dressing room and 221 runs still required to avoid follow-on, Ashish Yadav joined Mahesh Rawat in the middle. Rawat cruised to his fifty off 46 balls and continued to score freely, until he was removed by Khan.

Armed with the second new ball, in his third over in the post-lunch session, Khan got his first wicket in his 19th over. Mumbai keeper Aditya Tare took a superb catch diving to his right to send back Rawat for 68. The sixth wicket partnership ended for 63 runs, bringing to the crease senior cricketer Murali Kartik. The Mumbai wicketkeeper however, dropped Ashish Yadav off Powar on 12 after tea. A while later Kartik took Railways to 300 with six over long-off. The duo stitched a 77-run partnership to take their team to 340, until Kartik departed for 41. Sachin Tendulkar took a catch at mid-off, off Iqbal Abdulla to send back Kartik. In his next over the left-arm spinner claimed Ashish Yadav for 47 with Tendulkar once again taking the catch.

The final session also witnessed Khan walk back to the dressing room after bowling only five balls of his 21st over of the innings. During the first over of his fourth spell, India’s pace spearhead, bowling from the pavilion end, seemed to feel some discomfort during his fifth delivery and left the field after abruptly ending his follow through. Nayar then completed the over.

Railways are still 190 runs behind Mumbai’s first innings tally with two wickets to spare, and are 40 runs adrift of avoiding a follow-on.

Brief scores:

At the end of Day 3: Railways 1st innings 380/8 in 118 overs (Bhille 73, Bangar 67, Rawat 68; Agarkar 3/43, Abdullah 2/67)

At the end of Day 2: Mumbai 1st innings 570 all out in 151 overs (A Rahane 129, A Nayar 107*, S Shukla 53/3, A Kathuria 81/3); Railways 1st innings 86/2 in 28 overs (Bangar 36*; A Agarkar 20/2)

At the end of Day 1: Mumbai1st innings 344/4 in 90 overs (S Tendulkar 137, A Rahane 105; A Kathuria 2/53)