In a dazzling display on the second day of the Ranji Trophy semifinal, Shardul Thakur‘s scintillating 109, accompanied by Tanush Kotian’s unbeaten 74, countered R Sai Kishore‘s six-wicket haul, propelling Mumbai to a commanding 207-run lead over Tamil Nadu. Thakur’s remarkable counterattack, marked by 13 fours and four sixes off 104 balls, rescued Mumbai from a precarious 106 for seven situations.
Closing the day at 353 for 9 against TN’s 146 in the first innings, Sai Kishore wreaked havoc with a 6/97, while pacer Sandeep Warrier claimed Shreyas Iyer (3), levelling the game for Tamil Nadu. Thakur’s onslaught created severe pressure on Tamil Nadu’s bowlers, as he formed crucial partnerships with Hardik Tamore (35) and later Kotian, amassing 105 and 79 runs for the eighth and ninth wickets, respectively.
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Shardul Thakur gets to his century in style 🔥🔥
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) March 3, 2024
What a time to score your maiden first-class 💯
The celebrations say it all 👌👌@imShard | @IDFCFIRSTBank | #RanjiTrophy | #MUMvTN | #SF2
Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/9tosMLk9TT pic.twitter.com/3RI9Sap6DO
Thakur’s adept blade pierced gaps effortlessly, sending the ball over the boundary four times to complete his maiden century in all formats. Despite grappling with an ankle issue, Thakur’s century celebration became a highlight, capturing the essence of his achievement. Kuldeep Sen (2/65) eventually dismissed Thakur, bringing Kotian and Tushar Deshpande together, replicating their heroics from the previous match with an unbeaten 63-run stand for the 10th wicket.
Kotian, showcasing his batting prowess with 10 fours from 109 balls, reached an impressive 74 not out. The partnership between Kotian and Deshpande (17 not out) saved Mumbai from a precarious position, reminiscent of their quarterfinal performance. Sai Kishore’s strategic decision to open the bowling paid off, causing havoc in Mumbai’s top order.
Nightwatchman Mohit Avasthi (2) and captain Ajinkya Rahane (19) fell victim to Sai Kishore’s relentless pressure. Despite setbacks, Musheer Khan’s resilience and a composed 55 off 131 balls stabilized Mumbai’s innings, but a lapse in concentration led to his dismissal. In summary, Mumbai’s tailenders, inspired by Thakur’s heroics, rescued them from a challenging situation, providing a substantial lead over Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy semifinal.
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