Pankaj Dharmani guided Punjab to a tense three-wicket victory over holders Mumbai and into the Elite Division final of the Ranji Trophy championship in Mumbai on Monday.
Dharmani, who top-scored in the visitors' meagre first innings tally of 126 with a stubborn 32, was once again the batting hero as he held the lower order together with aplomb to score 86.
But for his valiant knock, that included 8 fours and a six and came off 237 balls, Punjab's hopes of shocking the reigning champions of the last two years would never have materialised.
Fittingly, it was the Punjab wicket keeper who hit the winning runs in the first over after lunch on the fourth and penultimate day of the semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium.
Punjab were poised for a win when the day commenced. Needing 68 more runs for a win after commencing the day at 226 for 4 chasing 294, they lost three more wickets against a determined Mumbai team who made the visitors earn every run.
Dharmani saw three of his teammates depart and then found an able ally in Gagandeep Singh (15 not out in 65 minutes) to take Punjab home from 261 for 7 to 294 without further loss.
Punjab will meet Railways in the five-day final at Mohali from March 30.
The 36-time champions' tried every trick in their book to prevent Punjab, who last made the final in the 1994-95 season, from entering the title clash for the fourth time.
But Dharmani, in particular, stood firm to defeat Mumbai's efforts. He eschewed the risk factor totally against the spinners
Dharmani, not out 67 overnight, never seemed in a hurry as time was not a factor. He was needed at the wicket and did it in style.
In the morning, Salvi accounted for Gupta's wicket though the batsman was not at all happy to be declared out caught down the leg side by Mumbai stumper Vinayak Samant.
He stood his ground glaring at umpire Subramaniyan before reluctantly leaving the crease.
Punjab, 244 for 5 at Gupta's departure, lost Uniyal three runs later to Ajit Agarkar. Then Navdeep Singh too left at 261 when he was trapped leg before by Nilesh Kulkarni.
Mumbai, in a final act of desperation, summoned the new ball at 279 for 7 after 96 overs, but Dharmani and Gagandeep made sure they saw the 1992-93 champions home.
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