A valuable sixth wicket partnership of 79 runs between Amol Mazumdar (55) and Robin Morris (45 not out) bailed Mumbai who recovered to score 152 for six against Punjab on the first day of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group 'A' match in Mohali on Thursday.
The Punjab bowlers took full advantage of the cloudy conditions and seamer-friendly wicket to reduce the defending Ranji trophy champions to 70 for five before Mazumdar and Morris came together for a rescue act.
A thick fog which engulfed the PCA stadium delayed the start of the crucial encounter till lunch but medium pacers Gagandeep Singh (3/40) and Vineet Sharma (2/24) proved that there was a lot of life in the wicket.
At stumps, Morris was accompanied by Nilesh Kulkarni (0) at the crease.
Later Mazumdar told reporters that more than the wicket it was the chilly weather which they found difficult to cope with.
"We are used to playing on such a wicket but not in such weather," he said.
Mumbai with 20 points have already booked their place in the semi finals while the host, who are placed second in the group, should win this tie to ensure a berth in the last four.
Scoreboard:
Mumbai First Innings:
V Mane lbw b Gagandeep 19
W Jaffar c Ricky b Sharma 1
B Thakker c Madan b Sharma 0
A Mazumdar c Sanwal b Gagandeep 55
V Kambli lbw b Uniyal 17
R Powar c Madan b Gagandeep 0
R Morris batting 45
N Kulkarni batting 0
Extras (lb-12, nb-3) 15
Total (for six wkts, 53.4 overs) 152
Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-16, 3-36, 4-67, 5-70, 6-149.
Bowling: Gagandeep Singh 21-9-40-3, Vineet Sharma 9-4-24-2, Amit Uniyal 13-1-53-1, Reetinder Sodhi 9.5-2-23-0.