Mumbai defeated Rest of India (ROI) at Lucknow on Day 2 of the Irani Cup thanks to Sarfaraz Khan’s double-hundred (221*), as well as half-centuries by captain Ajinkya Rahane (97) and Tanush Kotian (64). Mumbai scored 536 at the Stumps in the end. In his 276-ball knock, Sarfaraz struck two sixes and 25 fours. For 131 runs and 83 runs, respectively, the double-centurion shared significant partnerships with Rahane and Kotian.
To prevent the bowlers from settling, Rahane and Sarfaraz rotated the bat quickly as Mumbai continued to build on their overnight score of 237 for 4. During Mukesh Kumar’s two-over session, both hitters hit him for four runs in two overs. In the next over, Sarfaraz applied pressure on Prasidh Krishna by clipping two deliveries on the pads for four runs.
Rahane gloved a short delivery to the keeper on run number 97, denying himself a well-earned century. With the second new ball, Mukesh hit the top of the off stump to dismiss Shams Mulani for five. Kotian and Sarfaraz teamed up, and the two gladly punished any loose deliveries that were made. When Sarfaraz was dropped in the deep by Krishna with 91 runs on him, the batsman reached his century in what followed.
After lunch, Mumbai raised the stakes even more by securing a boundary on the opening ball of the session. Sarfaraz hit Manav Suthar, a left-arm spinning wonder, for a four and an onside six. In the next over, he carried on the assault with a six off Saransh Jain and quickly brought up his 150. After battling through cramping, Sarfaraz went back to hitting the bowlers.
On the other hand, Kotian silently went about his business, making his fifty deliveries in 104. Mumbai’s second session ended without a wicket. Kotian hit Prasidh for a boundary before the bowler removed him from the game in the subsequent over. Mumbai was down to 463 for 8 when Mohit Avasthi was stuck in front of the next delivery.
However, Sarfaraz and Shardul Thakur held each other scoreless for 73 runs, allowing the latter to reach 200.
Then, against Prasidh and Suthar, Sarfaraz and Thakur successfully used the air to their advantage, hitting each bowler for four and six in quick succession within their respective overs. In the penultimate over of the day, Thakur was ultimately removed from the game after cutting a delivery onto the stumps.
In brief, Mumbai 536/9 against. Rest of India (Sarfaraz Khan 221*, Ajinkya Rahane 97, Tanush Kotian 64; Mukesh Kumar 4-109)
