Mumbai rode on unbeaten centuries from Akhil Herwadkar and Suryakumar Yadav to pile up 370 for 2 on day one of their Group B Ranji Trophy game against Gujarat at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday
Mumbai rode on unbeaten centuries from Akhil Herwadkar and Suryakumar Yadav to pile up 370 for 2 on day one of their Group B Ranji Trophy game against Gujarat at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday.
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Gujarat's hopes of securing at least the first innings lead to enhance their hopes of advancing to the quarters took a beating as the hosts, surprisingly asked to bat first by visiting team captain Parthiv Patel, scored at more than four an over to grab the advantage.
Mumbai opener Akhil Herwadkar celebrates his century during Ranji Trophy match against Gujarat at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday. Pic/PTI
Left-handed opener Herwadkar remained unconquered at the end of the day with a patient knock of 143 off 257 balls, inclusive of 16 fours and a six.
He was lucky to be let off twice by wicket keeper and rival captain Patel before he reached 40s.
Yadav, at the other end, stroked his way to 103 not out off 159 balls - studded with 3 sixes and 9 fours.
The third wicket duo, who joined forces at the fall of one-down batsman Shreyas Iyer (75 off 69 balls with 10 fours and a six), had added 196 runs before stumps.
Earlier, put in to bat the home team - already assured of a berth in the last eight - raced to 74 before losing opener Jay Bista, edging left arm R P Singh to 'keeper Patel, for a breezy knock of 44 that included six hits to the fence.
The ever-aggressive Iyer and Herwadkar then came together to stitch a partnership of 100 runs before the former lost patience and his wicket. In trying to glide Rush Kalaria over the wicket keeper's head he managed only an edge to Parthiv.
To make things worse, the Gujarat captain let off Herwadkar when on 12, a difficult leg-side catch, and a regulation stumping when the left hander (39) rushed out to the first ball from left- arm spinner Axar Patel and got beaten.
Taking full advantage of these reprieves, Herwadkar reached his half century in 101 balls. He was more aggressive later and reached his second ton of the season in 196 balls.
Yadav, after the fall of Iyer, stroked his way to his half century before tea in 69 balls and then slowed down a bit to complete his hundred in 148 balls.
Brief scores: Mumbai 370 for 2 (A Herwadkar not out 143, J Bista 44, S Iyer 75, S Yadav not out 103).
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