Aditya Tare blasted a strokeful half-century to power Mumbai to a comfortable six-wicket victory over Kerela in their Super League Group B match of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 cricket tournament here today.
Tare hit nine fours and one six in his 46-ball innings, while Siddesh Lad (36) and Abhishek Nayar (38) also chipped in with useful contributions as Mumbai knocked off Kerela's score of 160-7, amassing 164-4 with five balls to spare.
Earlier put into bat, Kerela rode on Rohan Prem's 45-ball 69-run innings which was studded with seven fours and two sixes to post 160-7 in their stipulated 20 overs at the Wankhede Stadium. Sachin Baby (32) and Sanju Samson (22) were the other contributors.
For Kerela, Sagar Trivedi (3/34) was the top of the bowlers, while Dhawal Kulkarni (2/29) picked two and SN Thakur (1/27) and AM Nayar (1/20) scalped one each.
Chasing 161 to win, Mumbai were reduced to 21 for two in 3 overs with both the openers AA Herwadkar (6) and SS Iyer (5) back into the hut but Tare then took the onus and shared a crucial 70-run innings with Lad to keep them in the hunt.
Once Lad was dismissed by Basil Thampi in the 13th over, Tare and Nayar added another 48 before the former was sent back to the pavillion by Manukrishnan in the 17th over. Nayar then took the team home.
For Kerela, U Manukrishnan (2/36) snapped two wickets, while S Sandeep Warrier (1/28) and Thampi (1/30) picked one each.
Brief Score:
Kerala 160/7 in 20 overs (R Prem 69; S Trivedi 3/34)
Mumbai 164/4 in 19.1 overs (A Tare 71; U Manukrishnan 2/36).
