Sarfaraz Khan produced a stellar performance on Day 2 of the Irani Cup 2024, scoring a magnificent century for Mumbai against the Rest of India at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium. His innings was instrumental in propelling Mumbai to a robust total of 338/6 at lunch, showcasing his prowess and determination after being omitted from the national Test squad for the two-match series against Bangladesh.

Celebrating a milestone: Sarfaraz Khan shines in Irani Cup

Sarfaraz reached the three-figure mark with sheer elegance, needing just 149 balls to complete his century, punctuated by 14 boundaries. Upon achieving this milestone, he celebrated by removing his helmet and roaring in delight, a moment that underscored his passion and dedication to the game. This century marked Sarfaraz’s 15th in First-Class cricket and his second in the Irani Cup, having previously scored 138 runs in the 2022 edition against Saurashtra.

Early struggles and recovery of Mumbai 

Mumbai’s innings commenced under a cloud of uncertainty after Rest of India captain Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss and opted to bowl, capitalizing on the favorable morning conditions. Mukesh Kumar, riding high on the confidence gained from a successful Duleep Trophy campaign, seized the moment by exploiting the new ball with remarkable precision.

He made an immediate impact, dismissing Prithvi Shaw (4) and wicketkeeper-batter Hardik Tamore (0) in quick succession, leaving Mumbai reeling at a precarious 5 for 2. Shaw, who had managed to hit a boundary in the first over, fell victim to a sharp delivery that induced an edge, brilliantly caught by Devdutt Padikkal at second slip. Mukesh’s relentless pressure continued as he sent Tamore packing, catching him off guard with a well-directed short ball, which was expertly taken by Dhruv Jurel.

Key partnerships and resilience against the Rest of India

Despite the tumultuous start, Mumbai found a lifeline in the partnership between experienced campaigner Ajinkya Rahane and the dynamic Shreyas Iyer. The duo showcased remarkable resilience as they added a significant 102 runs for the fourth wicket, transforming the team’s fortunes from a shaky 37 for 3 to a more respectable 139 for 3. Iyer played with aggression and intent, scoring a brisk 57 off 84 balls, but it was Rahane’s composed innings of 97 runs from 234 balls that truly anchored the team’s innings. His calm demeanor and tactical acumen were instrumental in stabilizing the Mumbai batting order during a challenging phase of the match.

As the innings progressed, Sarfaraz entered the fray at a crucial juncture, and alongside Rahane, they crafted a formidable 131-run partnership for the fifth wicket. This partnership not only steadied the ship but also infused momentum into Mumbai’s innings. Sarfaraz, having rejoined the squad just a day prior after being released from the Indian team for the second Test against Bangladesh, displayed exceptional composure and skill, proving his mettle as a dependable middle-order batter.

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