Mumbai overcame a late middle- collapse to beat Railways by two wickets and record their first win of the season in a thrilling Ranji Trophy Group A Super Division match. Chasing a victory target of 252,the hosts,who were 204 for two at one stage slumped to 237 for eight,but middle-order batsman Rohit Sharma (31 not out,55b,4x2) kept his nerves and in the company of Dhawal Kulkarni took the hosts home. Resuming at overnight 22 for no loss,Omkar Gurav (30) and Sahil Kukreja (54) added a further 34 runs in nearly 11 overs,when Gurav was run-out. From there on,youngster Ajinkya Rahane took control of the proceedings and added 97 runs for the second wicket with Kukreja,whose 217-ball effort that included five fours,ended when he was stumped by wicketkeeper M Rawat off M Suresh. However,Rahane kept the pressure on Railways and consolidated Mumbai's position by forging a 51-run partnership for the third wicket with skipper Wasim Jaffer (25). He missed his second ton of the season when he was dismissed by Jai Prakash Yadav for a well made 94 (150b,4x14). Rahane's dismissal changed the complexion of the game as the experienced duo of Murali Karthik (3-69) and Yadav (3-54) triggered a collapse,with Mumbai losing six wickets for 33 runs. But Sharma's presence paved the way for Mumbai's win,who are now at the top of group A with 11 points from three matches. Brief scores: Railways 201 and 269 (M Rawat 76 not out,Sanjay Bangar 62; D Kulkarni 5-52,R Powar,3-65). Mumbai 219 and 252/8 (Ajinkya Rahane 94,S Kukreja 54,Rohit Sharma 31 n.o.; M Karthik 3-69,J P Yadav 3-54).
