Ranji Trophy 2026/27: Railways late strikes keep Mumbai in check after opening day

Mumbai’s Angkrish Raghuvanshi continued his fine form this season adding another fifty-plus score. | Photo Credit: EMMANUAL YOGINI

The Brabourne Stadium may have been designated Railways’ home ground, but for all practical purposes, it was Mumbai’s backyard.

Mumbai enjoyed the better part of the opening day of its Ranji Trophy Group D fixture on Monday, with Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Sarfaraz Khan scoring half-centuries. However, Railways fought back in the final session, striking three times to restrict the visiting team to 247 for six at stumps.

On a cloudy morning, Railways failed to make the most of the conditions after opting to bowl. Raghuvanshi (78, 122b, 11x4, 2x6) and Divyaansh Saxena (39, 96b, 4x4) made the home side toil for a breakthrough, putting on 109 for the opening wicket.

Ranji Trophy Round 4, Day 1 - As it happened

The breakthrough came after lunch when experienced pacer Himanshu Sangwan had Saxena caught behind by stand-in wicketkeeper Suraj Ahuja. As the sun came out, Railways’ pacers found their rhythm, hitting the right areas and making life increasingly difficult for the Mumbai batters.

Adarsh Singh removed Musheer Khan before he could settle in, while Sangwan won his battle against Raghuvanshi, having the opener caught behind to reduce Mumbai to 128 for three.

Mumbai needed a partnership, and captain Siddhesh Lad and Sarfaraz provided just that.

The pair added 98 for the fourth wicket, with Sarfaraz (55, 100b, 7x4) making the most of a couple of reprieves to register another half-century. Both looked set for bigger scores before Sangwan had Lad (47, 125b, 4x4) playing on from a wily delivery towards the close. Adarsh then struck again, having Sarfaraz caught behind to give Railways a much-needed lift.

Mumbai’s decision to bring Suryansh Shedge into the XI ahead of Sylvester D’Souza also failed to pay off, with Mohammed Saif having him caught at cover by captain Bhargav Merai.

With former India captain Sunil Gavaskar watching, Akash Anand and Shams Mulani saw off the closing overs without further damage.

The scores

Mumbai – Divyaansh Saxena c Ahuja (sub) b Sangwan 39, Angkrish Raghuvanshi c Ahuja (sub) b Sangwan 78, Musheer Khan c sub (Ahuja) b Adarsh 4, Siddhesh Lad b Sangwan 47, Sarfaraz Khan c Ahuja (sub) b Adarsh 55, Akash Anand (batting) 16, Suryansh Shedge c Merai b Saif 1, Shams Mulani (batting) 2; Extras: (b-5): 5; Total (for 6 wkts. in 83 overs) 247

Fall of wickets: 1-109, 2-120, 3-128, 4-226, 5-232, 6-238

Railways bowling: Sangwan 17-5-32-3, Adarsh 17-5-60-2, Raj 19-1-52-0, Ali 3.5-0-11-0, Mondal 6-0-42-0, Sahab 12-3-31-0, Merai 3.1-1-5-0, Vivek 1-0-2-0, Saif 4-2-7-1