Left-handers ruled the roost as Musheer Khan and Nishant Sindhu headlined the penultimate day of Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy Elite Group D clash against Haryana at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy ground on Wednesday.

While Nishant’s vigil kept alive Haryana’s hopes of salvaging a draw, Musheer’s left-arm spin put Mumbai within striking distance of a third successive victory. After resuming at 108 for two, the visitor was bowled out for 270 in its first innings at tea, with Musheer claiming six wickets to go with his 109. Following on, Haryana was 73 for two at stumps, still trailing Mumbai by 87 runs.

Musheer broke Haryana’s resistance in the morning session, dismissing Dheeru Singh for 45 to end a 94-run third-wicket partnership with Nishant.

He bowled Yashvardhan Dalal with a quicker delivery while trapping Parth Vats leg-before in the final over before lunch to complete a rare First Class double of a century and a five-wicket haul in the same match. He operated with control on a slow surface that increasingly favoured the spinners under the scorching sun.

Nishant, meanwhile, stood tall amid the collapse around him. The southpaw showed patience and sound judgement to bring up his seventh First Class century, remaining unbeaten on 105 (251b, 8x4, 1x6). Had it not been for his patient knock, Mumbai would have enforced the follow-on much earlier.

The visitor’s second innings began on a worrying note when Himanshu Rana retired hurt after being struck on the helmet by Sylvester D’Souza. Musheer removed Dheeru for his fifth wicket of the day, leaving Haryana at 73 for two at close.

Nishant, who barely had time to recover after his long first-innings battle, continued to hold one end up alongside Dalal. The pair saw off the remaining overs, but Mumbai will return on Thursday knowing that a few early wickets could bring another emphatic win within reach.

The scores: Mumbai — 1st innings: 430.

Haryana — 1st innings: Ankit Kumar lbw b Musheer 35, Himanshu Rana c Sarfaraz b Musheer 27, Nishant Sindhu (not out) 105, Dheeru Singh b Musheer 45, Yashvardhan Dalal b Musheer 10, Parth Vats lbw b Musheer 6, Kanishk Chouhan lbw b Kotian 26, Samant Jakhar b Kotian 0, Anuj Thakral c Kotian b Mulani 0, Aman Kumar lbw b Musheer 0, Ajith Chahal lbw b Kotian 5; Extras (b-4, lb-5, nb-1, w-1): 11; Total (in 107.5 overs): 270.

Fall of wickets: 1-61, 2-65, 3-159, 4-181, 5-191, 6-238, 7-238, 8-239, 9-249.

Mumbai bowling: Deshpande 10-4-21-0, Avasthi 4-0-19-0, Kotian 31.5-9-70-3, Mulani 30-8-62-1, Musheer 31-7-85-6, D’Souza 1-0-4-0.

Haryana — 2nd innings: Ankit Kumar c Saxena b Kotian 12, Himanshu Rana (retired hurt) 19, Nishant Sindhu (batting) 22, Dheeru Singh c D’Souza b Musheer 2, Yashvardhan Dalal (batting) 13; Extras (b-2, lb-1, nb-1, w-1): 5; Total (for two wkts. in 21 overs): 73.

Fall of wickets: 1-20, 2-54.