Mumbai beat Baroda by four wkts in tournament opener. Opener Sushant Marathe's gritty 55 off 95 and Ankeet Chavan's 3-24 helped Mumbai have a cakewalk in their Vijay Hazare trophy opener against Baroda at the Wankhede Stadium yesterday.

The hosts beat Baroda by four wickets.  Marathe, who made a comeback from an injury lay-off, looked in sublime touch, playing shots all round the wicket, but with a bit of caution."Actually, we planned not to play any predetermined shots. It was strictly told to us by the team management to play cricketing shots on this wicket where the bowlers got some assistance.
It wasn't a typical one-day wicket where you just place your foot and hit through the line," Marathe said after the match. But, he expressed disappointment with the manner he got out. "I shouldn't have played that shot in the first place.

I could have stayed there and gone for a big one, but I am happy that somehow we managed to pull off a win."
With wickets falling at regular intervals at the other end, Marathe held one end and added 121 runs with Ajinkya Rahane (4), former captain Wasim Jaffer (1) and Abhishek Nayar (38) before being shown the door by Murtuja Vahora in the 31st over. Marathe was well supported by Nayar and Surya Kumar Yadav (38 not out). Responding to visitors' 183, Mumbai achieved the target with four overs to spare.

Marathe wasn't intimidated with new rules of two bouncers allowed per over (as per the decision of Indian cricket Board's technical committee) or two new balls to start the proceedings with. "I have been playing Ranji Trophy for quite a while, and so this two-bouncer rule is nothing to be worried about. And as far as the use of two balls, it actually helps. The ball doesn't become soft and so it's easier to hit," the Mumbai opener explained.

High on confidence after returning to Mumbai fold with a match-winning innings, Marathe vowed to do better. "It's a nice feeling now that I have been able to play my natural game," he said. Even Baroda coach Sanath Kumar prasied Marathe. "He made all the difference. Had we got his wicket inside first few overs, the result could have been different," Kumar said. Mumbai will take on Gujarat in their second match at the same venue today.

Brief scores
Mumbai 186-6 (46) (S Marathe 55, S Yadav 38 no) beat Baroda 183 (49.3) (A Rayudu 69, A Chavan 3-23)