The former Test swing bowler admitted that his batsmen had to be blamed for Mumbai's worst performance in two decades. He complimented Ashish Winston Zaidi's effort, stating it was a just reward of some disciplined bowling.

Sandhu was, however, emphatic in denying that Mumbai paid the price for over-confidence. "We never under-rate any opponent, it is just that we had a bad day," he said.

Despite the opening day's reverses, Sandhu was optimistic of Mumbai pulling it off. "Maybe, our day would commence from tomorrow."

For Uttar Pradesh skipper Gyanendra Pandey, it was an unexpected turn of events. "We were confident of bowling them out but not for a total below hundred. It was unexpected," he said.

Coach Venkat Sunderam felt it was time his team was given its place under the sun. "Despite coming upwith consistent performances right through the season, our attack is under-rated. Probably this performance might encourage the national selectors to have a look at bowlers like Zaidi," he said.

The hero of the day, Zaidi, who has so far claimed 30 wickets from eight matches (three were marred by rain) this season, presented a modest picture saying: "I simply did what I am expected to do in the team's interests." He, however, opined that his career-high performance of 8-103 against Haryana in 1993 was the best.