Tendulkar takes Mumbai close to famous win

Lahli (Haryana), Oct 29 (IANS) The Lahli crowd could not have asked for more. Not only did Sachin Tendulkar score his final fifty in Ranji Trophy, he also put Mumbai in a winning position against Haryana at the Bansi Lal Cricket Stadium here Tuesday.

Mumbai were 201 for six at stumps on day three, needing another 39 runs on a tricky surface to secure a famous win. Tendulkar (55 not out) was the lone specialist batsman remaining with Dhawal Kulkarni (6 not out) holding fort at the other end.

Haryana, who started day three at 224 for nine, could only add 17 runs to their second innings, setting the mighty Mumbai a tough target. Zaheer Khan and Vishal Dabholkar bagged four wickets each for the visitors.

Mumbai were off to a bad start in their chase, losing Wasim Jaffer in the second over. Kaustubh Pawar (40) and Ajinkya Rahane (40) steadied the ship before Tendulkar took over the task.