A 97-run seventh wicket partnership between Sairaj Bahatule and Ajit Agarkar saw the powerful Mumbai Ranji team recover to 286 for eight at the end of the first day of their Ranji four-dayer against Gujarat at the Sardar Vallabhai Patel stadium, Bulsar.

Bahatule made 69 and Agarkar 34 to help the former Ranji champions gain some respectability after they had been reduced to 134 for six in the 45th over. An unbeaten 43-run partnership between Paras Mhambrey and Ramesh Powar then saw Mumbai end the day on a hopeful note.

Most of Mumbai's early woes were inflicted Gujarat's right arm medium-pacer Shyamlal Bhatt who claimed the first four wickets to fall. He also returned later in the day to snare Ajit Agarkar to end up with excellent figures of 22-8-40-5. His fellow right-arm medium-pacer Lalit Patel provided admirable support claiming three for 56.

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