REFUGEE

A superb spell of spin bowling by teenager Aushik Srinivas ensured Tamil Nadu three points in their Ranji Trophy Super League encounter against Mumbai [ Images ] at the MCA Complex, in Mumbai, on Friday.

The 16-year-old finished with impressive figures of seven for 107, including six of the seven Mumbai wickets to fall on the fourth and final day of the match, to help his side skittle out the hosts for 366 in their first innings.

Tamil Nadu scored 253 for 3 in their second innings, with Murali Vijay [ Images ] registering a majestic 118-ball 154, that comprised 20 hits to the fence and five over it.

Arun Karthik scored a patient 60, and his second wicket stand with Vijay yielded 168 runs for the visitors.

Mumbai's collapse was shocking considering they began the final day comfortably placed on 308 for three. Srinivas's brilliant spell meant they lost their last seven wickets for just 58 runs. The youngster, who had accounted for Ajinkya Rahane [ Images ] (98) on the third day, added the prized wicket of skipper Wasim Jaffer [ Images ] (141) to his kitty besides accounting for Abhishek Nayar [ Images ] (16), Ramesh Powar [ Images ] (0), Iqbal Abdullah (0), Dhawal Kulkarni (0) and Usman Malvi (4).

Ganapathy took the only other wicket to fall -- the day's first – trapping Onkar Khanvilkar (22) up front after just six runs had been added to the overnight total.

With a result out of question, after the visitors had batted for almost two days to post 501 in their first innings, the best Mumbai could have hoped for was to take three points from the game on the basis of a first innings lead. Alas, they had to settle for only one.

The draw strengthened Tamil Nadu's lead at the top of Group A, with 23 points from six matches, while keeping Mumbai in third place with 16.

The defending champions play Gujarat in their final group match, starting Tuesday at the Brabourne stadium.