Lucknow, Oct 2 (UNI) Sarfaraz Khan’s unbeaten double hundred (221*) along with crucial half-centuries from skipper Ajinkya Rahane (97) and Tanush Kotian (64) put Mumbai in a commanding position against Rest of India (ROI) on Day 2 of the Irani Cup at Bharat Ratna Sri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium on Wednesday.
Mumbai finished the day at 536 for 9, with Sarfaraz smashing 25 boundaries and two sixes in his 276-ball marathon.
Resuming at 237 for 4, Sarfaraz and Rahane kept the scoreboard ticking with sensible rotation of strike, not allowing the bowlers to settle. They put on a 131-run partnership, steadily taking the game away from ROI. Rahane, however, fell short of a well-deserved century, nicking a short ball to the keeper for 97, just three runs shy of a landmark.
Sarfaraz then forged another valuable stand of 83 runs with Kotian, who played a gritty knock of 64. Sarfaraz had a slice of luck on 91 when he was dropped by Prasidh Krishna, and he capitalised on the opportunity, reaching his century in the next over.
The post-lunch session saw Sarfaraz accelerating, launching into left-arm spinner Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain with clean strikes, as he raced past 150, despite battling cramps.
Kotian’s patient 50 came off 104 balls as he supported Sarfaraz at the other end. Their partnership ensured Mumbai didn’t lose any wickets in the second session. However, Kotian’s dismissal, followed by Mohit Avasthi’s, left Mumbai at 463 for 8. But Sarfaraz continued his assault, finding an able partner in Shardul Thakur (29). The duo added 73 runs for the ninth wicket, with Sarfaraz reaching his double century in style.
Shardul contributed valuable runs before being dismissed in the final over of the day, chopping a delivery onto the stumps, leaving Sarfaraz stranded at the crease, still standing strong at 221*.
With Mumbai sitting comfortably at 536 for 9, Rest of India will need something special to claw back into the contest on Day 3.
Brief Scores: Mumbai 536/9 (Sarfaraz Khan 221*, Ajinkya Rahane 97, Tanush Kotian 64; Mukesh Kumar 4-109) vs Rest of India.
