Defending champions Mumbai edged out Tamil Nadu by two wickets in a low-scoring thriller as the opening round Ranji Trophy encounter between the two heavyweights ended in less than two and half days.
While BCCI has decided on having neutral venues so that home advantage is wiped out, the character of the track at the Bansi lal Stadium remained as it has been for over the seasons as there was only single batsman in Abhinav Mukund (56) getting a 50 plus score in the match.
After being dismissed for 87 in the first innings, Tamil Nadu did shade better in the second essay scoring 185, which left Mumbai with a target of 97.
They were reeling at 60 for seven at one stage when veteran Abhishek Nayar, whose oodles of experience at this level came in handy, struck a quickfire 45 off 56 balls.
Nayar added an invaluable 30 runs with Balvinder Singh Sandhu (Jr) for the eighth wicket to take the team total to 90 before he was sent back by Crist. But Nayar kept his cool in tense situation to hit a lusty blow as the 41-time champions logged home full points from the encounter.
Delhi hammer Assam bowling
Vadodara: Delhi sent the Assam bowlers on a leatherhunt with as many as three batsmen hitting tons as the Unmukt Chand-led team are looking good to notch up a facile innings victory in opening group league encounter of the Ranji Trophy.
Starting the day at 241 for 3, Delhi plundered their way to declare at 589 for eight in 128.1 overs. The north zone state added 348 runs on the day in only 57.1 overs. At stumps, Assam were 100 for 3 in their second essay still needing 296 runs to avoid innings defeat.
left-handed Rishabh Pant, touted as an India prospect, began his season with a bang as he smashed 146 off only 124 balls with 13 boundaries and eight huge sixes.
The other young left-hander Nitish Rana also scored 146 but it was a contrasting knock that came off 222 deliveries with 19 boundaries and two sixes.
Elsewhere, Hyderabad gained a 224-run first innings lead over Goa in their Ranji Trophy match even as B Sandeep slammed 108 (4x11) to become the second centurion for his team on Saturday.
The Hyderabad side were dismissed at 388 at the VCA civil lines ground.