Mumbai, Nov 13: Riding on an Abhishek Nayar double century, Mumbai went on to take a first innings lead against Rajasthan on Day 4 of the Ranji Trophy match between the two sides here at the Brabourne stadium. Although the match ended in a draw, the home team walked away with three points thanks to their 625 runs in reply to the visitors’ first innings score of 530.

Watchful half-centuries from Dhawal Kulkarni and Iqbal Abdulla saw Mumbai surpass Rajasthan’s first innings total while Abhishek Nayar’s maiden double-ton in the Ranji Trophy played a crucial role in guiding the home team to safety.

Resuming on the overnight score of 439, Dhawal Kulkarni and Iqbal Abdulla took Mumbai within sniffing distance of Rajasthan’s first innings total with a 106-run partnership. Kulkarni was the first to depart, sent back by Pankaj Singh for 60 (including seven boundaries and a six). He survived two stumping opportunities earlier in the morning while on 37 and 42 runs respectively.

Having retired hurt on Day 3 due to cramps, Abhishek Nayar returned to bat after the fall of Kulkani’s wicket and surpassed his previous highest Ranji score of 156, against Delhi. Quiet fittingly, the southpaw hit the boundary that took Mumbai past Rajasthan’s 530 runs in the 30th over of the day.

Soon after that, Mumbai lost two quick wickets to leave the side on 537 for the loss of eight wickets at lunch. Abdulla was claimed by Pankaj Singh and Ramesh Powar, who had replaced him, was run-out for a duck thanks to a direct hit by Rashmi Pardia from the covers. Next to return to the pavilion was Kshemal Waingankar; bowled for nine runs after lunch, Waingankar was the Rajasthan pacer’s third wicket for the day and fifth in the innings.

With nine wickets gone, Nayar was batting on 177 when No. 11 batsman, Murtuza Hussain joined him at the crease. The Mumbai senior then hit 23 off 13 balls, including three hits to the ropes, to reach the 200-run mark. He was eventually castled for 243 runs by Gajendra Singh to end Mumbai’s first innings fightback.

Trailing by 95 runs when they came out to bat in the second innings, Rajasthan where 70 for the loss of two wickets when the match was called off with Ashok Menaria (30) and Robin Bist (0) at the crease.

Vineet Saxena (4 runs) was the first Rajasthan wicket to fall while Akash Chopra (31 runs) was trapped lbw by SK Yadav after tea.

Brief scores at the end of Day 4:

ELITE-A :Railways vs. Karnataka at Delhi - Karnataka win by an innings and 51 runs, Railways 134 & 162. Karnataka 347.

ELITE-A :UP vs. Saurashtra at Meerut (Match Drawn) - UP 362 & 317-7 (d) after 90.5 overs. Saurashtra 85-1 after 41 overs & 281.

ELITE-A :Punjab vs. Orissa at Mohali - Punjab win by 8 wickets.Punjab 255-9d & 70-2 in 18.5 overs.Orissa 251 & 73.

ELITE-A :Mumbai vs. Rajasthan at Mumbai (Match Drawn) - Rajasthan 70-2 after 15.0 overs & 530. Mumbai 625.

ELITE-B :Baroda vs. MP at Baroda - Baroda win by 8 wickets, MP 63 & 365 v Baroda 375 & 54/2.

ELITE-B :Tamil Nadu vs. Haryana at Chennai (Match Drawn) - Haryana 200 & 348.Tamil Nadu 141-8 in 13 overs & 403.

ELITE-B :Gujarat vs. Delhi at Valsad - Gujarat win by an innings and 35 runs. Delhi 253 & 233.Gujarat 520.

PLATE-A :SSCB vs. Kerala at Trivandram (Match Drawn)- Kerala 130-9 after 63.0 overs & 249. SSCB 253 & 148.

PLATE-A :Himachal vs. Vidarbha at Dharamshala - Vidarbha win by 3 wickets, 142 & 257-7 in 77.5 overs (HK Badani 83*, S Bahutule 61*).Himachal 195 & 200.

PLATE-A :Andhra vs. Tripura at Visakhapatnam - Andhra win by 124 runs. Tripura 208 & 174. Andhra 235 & 271-6 (dec).

PLATE-B :Assam vs. Goa at Guwahati (Match Drawn) - Assam 190-4 in 68.3 overs (dec)& 195-all out. Goa 336 all out.

PLATE-B :Hyderabad vs. Maharashtra at Hyderabad - Maharashtra win by an innings & 6 runs, Akshay D (8-20). Hyderabad 124 & 54-all out .Maharashtra 184-10 (63.1 overs).

PLATE-B :J & K vs. Jharkhand at Srinagar (Match Drawn) - Jharkhand 105-2 after 20 overs. J & K 270-4 after 75 overs (dec).