Captain Aditya Tare praises youngsters as Mumbai top Group B

Shreyas Iyer is the leading run-scorer in Ranji Trophy this season

Mumbai captain Aditya Tare was full of praise for Shreyas Iyer and Akhil Herwadkar after Mumbai’s win over Railways at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday, reports ESPN Cricinfo.

The two young Mumbai batsmen out on 143 for the second wicket as Mumbai chased down the target of 295 with six overs to spare. Tare said the victory – which was Mumbai’s third of the season – their most important one yet and, praised the duo for marshalling an “intelligent chase” on the final day.

Both Iyer and Herwadkar notched their second fifty-plus score of the game as they consigned Railways to their sixth defeat of the season, after an enterprising declaration brought the game to life on the final day.

After arriving in the fifth over, Iyer, who finished with 91 in the second innings, to go along with his 57 from the first innings drew plenty of praise from his captain.

“I feel very comfortable when Iyer is batting at the other end, because he is always the one who takes on the opposition and makes things easier," Tare said.

Iyer, who is on the fringes of the Indian side was particularly impressive when it came to rotating the strike and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Tare said it was the youngster’s positive approach that rubbed off on his teammates.

“When he is there the field is always spread and he also makes the batsman coming in comfortable because he is quite positive in his mind. So he passes on that sort of energy," Tare said.

In Herwadkar, Iyer found the perfect foil. After his 145 in the first innings helped the hosts get out of a tight spot and take a crucial 114-run lead, the 21-year-old was at it again in the second innings, with 75.

Herwadkar‘s last five scores of 58,67,58, 145 and 75 have helped him score almost 500 runs in the season, after just six games. Tare said the opener’s progress was “exceptional”.

Tare added: “I thought this was the best he had played so far in his short first-class career. He is taking responsibilities, growing into a good opening batsman.“

"He is quite positive and likes to hit the ball. In the top we need someone who can take the opposition on the back foot. He is very talented; if he stays long he is going to score runs. If he knows that he is going to be a terrific player for Mumbai.”

The win kept Mumbai’s unbeaten start to the season alive and propelled them to the top of Group B with 26 points, while defeat ensured that Railways stayed bottom.