The opening day of the Irani Cup match between Mumbai and Rest of India saw a dramatic turnaround for the Mumbai team, thanks to the resilient batting of Ajinkya Rahane and Sarfaraz Khan. After being inserted to bat, Mumbai endured a tumultuous start, losing three wickets early in the innings.
Mukesh Kumar's impressive bowling spell saw Mumbai rattling at 37 for 3. Prithvi Shaw was the first to fall, edging Mukesh to Devdutt Padikkal at second slip for just 4 runs. Hardik Tamore followed soon after, caught behind off Mukesh's bowling for a duck. Ayush Mhatre attempted to stabilize the innings but was dismissed by Mukesh in his second spell for 19 runs.
Rahane and Sarfaraz Steady the Ship
The turning point came with the partnership between Ajinkya Rahane and Sarfaraz Khan. Both batsmen played composed half-centuries, ensuring Mumbai ended the first day on a strong note. At stumps, after just 68 overs due to bad light, Mumbai were 237 for 4, with Rahane and Sarfaraz still at the crease.
Rahane remained unbeaten on 86 runs, while Sarfaraz was on 54 runs. Their partnership not only rescued Mumbai from a precarious position but also set a solid foundation for the team to build upon in the subsequent days.
Day 2 Updates
On the second day, Mumbai continued to build on their strong start. The team progressed to 316 for 6, with Rahane and Sarfaraz continuing their form. The duo's performance has been crucial in keeping Mumbai in a competitive position against Rest of India.
The match is being played at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, and the ongoing battle between the two teams promises an exciting contest as the tournament unfolds.
