On Day 2 of the 2024 Irani Cup match against the Rest of India (ROI) at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, Mumbai’s Sarfaraz Khan showcased his exceptional talent by scoring a remarkable double-century.
The event took place on Wednesday, October 2, and veteran commentator Vivek Razdan celebrated this milestone by delivering a heartfelt shayari, enhancing the moment’s significance. Sarfaraz’s impressive performance not only highlighted his skill but also marked him as the first Mumbai player to achieve a double ton in the tournament’s illustrious history.
Mumbai’s Tumultuous Start
Mumbai’s innings began inauspiciously, as they faced an early setback, losing two wickets within the first three overs and managing only six runs. The situation worsened as they found themselves at a precarious 37 for three after the dismissal of opener Ayush Mhatre.
However, Shreyas Iyer stabilized the innings with a resilient 57 runs, forging a crucial 102-run partnership for the fourth wicket with captain Ajinkya Rahane. Once Iyer was dismissed, the onus fell on Rahane and Sarfaraz to build a solid foundation for the team.
A Commanding Partnership
The pivotal partnership between Rahane and Sarfaraz flourished as they added 131 runs for the fifth wicket. Rahane played a captain’s knock, narrowly missing a century as he was dismissed for 97 runs, caught behind by wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel off the bowling of Yash Dayal.
Sarfaraz, who entered the fray in the 40th over, continued to display his prowess, guiding Mumbai to a dominant position. His innings included an impressive 221 runs off 276 balls, featuring 25 boundaries and four sixes.
He was well-supported by Tanush Kotian, who contributed 64 runs, and Shardul Thakur, who added 36 runs. As the day concluded, Mumbai stood at a strong 536 for nine, with Sarfaraz remaining unbeaten and poised to continue his extraordinary performance on Day 3.
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