Tushar Deshpande (3/24) and Shardul Thakur (2/48) put Mumbai on top on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy semi-final against Tamil Nadu in Mumbai on Saturday.

Tamil Nadu skipper B. Sai Kishore’s decision to bat first backfired as the visitors were shot out for a mere 146 at the BKC Ground.

If it was any consolation, Tamil Nadu struck twice with the ball as Mumbai reached 45/2 at stumps.

Musheer Khan (24 batting) and Mohit Avasthi were at the crease with Mumbai losing openers Prithvi Shaw (5) and Bhupen Lalwani (15).

On a track which had movement off the surface as well as turn for spinners, Mumbai proved to be the superior side as the visitors found the going tough.

Tamil Nadu, shellshocked by a disastrous start to their first semi-final in seven years, could not muster the courage to stage a fightback and folded shortly after tea despite Vijay Shankar (44) and Washington Sundar (43)’s rearguard act.

In the other semi-final in Nagpur, Avesh Khan-led Madhya Pradesh’s pace unit hit the right lengths on a pitch which offered enough carry to bowl out Vidarbha for 170.

Avesh (4/49) was the pick of MP bowlers, while receiving good support from Kulwant Khejroliya (2/38) and Venkatesh Iyer (2/28).

Madhya Pradesh reached 47 for one in their first innings at close.

Summarised scores

In Mumbai: TN 146 (Vijay Shankar 44, Washington Sundar 43; Shardul Thakur 2/48, Tushar Deshpande 3/24, Tanush Kotian 2/10). Mumbai 45/2.

In Nagpur: Vidarbha 170 (Karun Nair 63, Atharva Taide 39; Avesh Khan 4/49, Kulwant Khejroliya 2/38, Venkatesh Iyer 2/28). MP 47/1.