Shardul Thakur, dropped from the Indian Test squad for the ongoing England series, made a strong statement with a crucial century in the Ranji Trophy semi-final against Tamil Nadu. His knock of 109 runs off 105 balls helped Mumbai recover from a precarious position and establish a commanding lead.
Counter-Attacking Century After Early Wickets
With Mumbai tottering at 106-7 thanks to R Sai Kishore‘s six-wicket haul, Thakur stepped up to the challenge. He launched a counter-attack, peppering the boundaries with 13 fours and 4 sixes. His innings proved instrumental in propelling Mumbai to a first-innings lead exceeding 150 runs.
Thakur reached his maiden first-class century in style, smashing a six over long-off. He celebrated the milestone with a passionate fist pump and a gesture towards the dressing room, drawing cheers from Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane.
Thakur’s journey to the century was fueled by crucial partnerships. He shared a 105-run stand with wicketkeeper Hardik Tamore (35) to revive the innings and later stitched together a 79-run partnership with tailender Tanush Kotian, further solidifying Mumbai’s position.
Impressing Veterans and Highlighting Others’ Struggles
Shardul’s knock even received praise from veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who took to social media to express his admiration. âDey lord beefy! Enough da #MumbaivsTN #RanjiTrophy.â, the offie wrote in his X (formerly Twitter) post.
While Thakur thrived, other Mumbai stalwarts like Ajinkya Rahane (19) and Shreyas Iyer (3) had forgettable outings. Rahane’s struggles with the bat continue, while Iyer, recently omitted from the BCCI central contract list, failed to impress on his return to Ranji cricket.
Sai Kishore Provides Early Hope for Tamil Nadu
Earlier in the match, Tamil Nadu’s Sai Kishore, who made his international debut in the 2022 Asian Games, provided early hope with his wicket-taking spell. He claimed six wickets, keeping Mumbai in check before Thakur’s heroics turned the tide.
Mumbai in a Strong Position
With a substantial first-innings lead thanks in large part to Shardul Thakur’s century, Mumbai is in a strong position to secure a place in the Ranji Trophy final. The team will be looking to capitalize on their advantage and continue their journey towards the coveted trophy.
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