Image: Mumbai won over Baroda by 6 wickets and advance to the finals / © Times Now
The first Semi-Final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy proved to be a one-sided game as Mumbai defeated Baroda by 6 wickets with 16 balls to spare. Baroda, batting first, posted a total of 158/7 in their 20 overs. Shivalik Sharma top-scored with 36 off 24 balls, while Krunal Pandya contributed 30 off 24 balls.
The middle-order collapse saw Baroda lose wickets quickly, with Hardik Pandya (5), Bhanu Pania (2), and Vishnu Solanki (6) all falling cheaply. Mumbai’s bowlers, led by Suryansh Shedge and Tanush Kotian, were efficient, with Shedge picking up two wickets for 11 runs in his two overs.
Chasing 159, Mumbai cruised to victory, finishing at 164/4 in 17.2 overs. Ajinkya Rahane was the star of the chase, scoring a blistering 98 off 56 balls, including 11 fours and 5 sixes. Shreyas Iyer also contributed with a quickfire 46 off 30 balls.
Despite a few early setbacks, including the wickets of Prithvi Shaw (8) and Suryakumar Yadav (1), Mumbai comfortably reached their target, with Shedge remaining unbeaten on 6. Baroda’s bowling attack failed to break the momentum, and Mumbai secured their place in the final.