MUMBAI, Oct 5: The execution of the game-plan proved to be decisive on the final day of the Irani Trophy battle for both Rest of India and Mumbai. If Sanjay Manjrekar took pride for ``everything going according to plan'', Anil Kumble was hurt about his top-order batsmen's failure to adhere to the plot.

The Mumbai skipper Manjrekar, while delving on the team's performance, explained: ``We knew that it wasn't going to be easy. We were up against the odds. The pitch was not in our favour and the opposition had a formidable batting strength. It was left to our spinners to shoulder a big responsibility. Sairaj responded and did a great job.''

Coach Balwinder Singh Sandhu was more elaborate on Mumbai's tactics that fetched them victory. ``Our main objective was to restrict them under 80 runs in the first session, irrespective of the wickets. We wanted to take the game into the last session to make the kill. Had we conceded more runs in the first two sessions, we would have had no chance in the third. But five wickets before lunch was a bonus and there was no looking back.''

The former Test speedster, who has now four major triumphs under his belt - Irani, Ranji Trophy , Wills Trophy and Talim Shield (West Zone champions) - since he took charge of the side last season revealed that the Irani triumph gave him more satisfaction. ``I wasn't confident before the start of the match as unlike our earlier campaigns we didn't get sufficient time to prepare ourselves. Moreover, everyone was regrouping after a long break, which hampered the continuity,'' he reasoned.

A disappointed Kumble felt that had his batsmen played to their potential, they would have won the match. ``Our plan was to ensure that we didn't lose a wicket in the first session. But... Anyway, it was a good contest,'' he said. Complimenting Sairaj Bahutule, he remarked, ``Sai really bowled well.''

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.