In an excellent showcase of emerging talent during the Irani Cup 2024, Mumbai pacer M Juned Khan marked a significant milestone in his cricketing career by claiming his maiden first-class wicket. This achievement came on Day 3, Thursday, October 3, as he dismissed the Rest of India captain Ruturaj Gaikwad at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

Ruturaj Gaikwad falls to a magnificent catch by Prithvi Shaw

The pivotal moment of Gaikwad’s dismissal occurred on the second ball of the 11th over, which showcased Juned’s bowling prowess. He delivered a well-executed good-length delivery that compelled Gaikwad to push forward, leading to an outside edge. The ball was skillfully caught by Prithvi Shaw at second slip, highlighting Shaw’s sharp reflexes and excellent positioning. Gaikwad, who was struggling to settle in, managed to score 9 runs off 27 balls, including a solitary boundary.

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Following Gaikwad’s dismissal for 9 runs, the Rest of India stabilized their innings with a solid partnership. Abhimanyu Easwaran emerged as the key performer, scoring an impressive 84 not out off 96 balls so far, including 7 fours and 1 six. Sai Sudharsan contributed a cautious 32 runs before being dismissed lbw by Tanush Kotian. So far, the team have reached 141 runs for the loss of 2 wickets in 36 overs.

Also READ: Irani Cup 2024 Schedule: Date, Match Time, Broadcast & Live Streaming details

Mumbai’s challenging start

Earlier, Mumbai, opting to bat first, encountered a rocky beginning as they lost both Shaw (4) and Hardik Tamore (0) within the third over, putting them under early pressure. The situation worsened when Ayush Mhatre fell shortly after for 19 runs off 35 balls, which marked the third wicket claimed by Mukesh Kumar. Despite these setbacks, the seasoned duo of Ajinkya Rahane and Shreyas Iyer stepped up, stabilizing the innings with a crucial 102-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Iyer, showcasing his skill and composure, was eventually dismissed for a well-crafted 57 runs off 84 balls, which included six boundaries and two sixes, providing the much-needed momentum for Mumbai.

Fighting knock from Ajinkya Rahane

Building on the momentum, Rahane, supported admirably by Sarfaraz Khan, forged a formidable partnership, adding 130 runs for the fifth wicket before Rahane fell just short of a century. He ended his innings with 97 runs off 234 balls, showcasing his determination and skill. Sarfaraz, however, continued to shine, forming a remarkable 183-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Tanush Kotian. Kotian contributed solidly with 64 runs off 124 balls, including six boundaries, aiding in the construction of a substantial total.

Sarfaraz Khan’s unbeaten double century

Sarfaraz  delivered an outstanding performance, marking his 15th first-class century and finishing the innings unbeaten on an impressive 222 runs off 286 balls. His innings included a remarkable 25 fours and four sixes, demonstrating his exceptional ability to dominate the bowlers. With this solid foundation laid by Sarfaraz and the rest of the batting lineup, Mumbai concluded their innings at a commanding total of 537 runs. On the bowling front, Mukesh stood out for the Rest of India, claiming five wickets as he aimed to help his team regain momentum in the match.

Also READ: Fans erupt as Sarfaraz Khan smashes remarkable hundred for Mumbai against the Rest of India in Irani Cup 2024