Shardul Thakur’s sizzling 109 and Tanush Kotian’s unbeaten 74 offset R. Sai Kishore’s six-wicket haul, putting Mumbai in command by powering them to a 207-run first-innings lead over Tamil Nadu on the second day of their Ranji Trophy semi-final match here on Sunday.
Thakur’s sensational counter-attacking hundred, featuring 13 fours and four sixes from 104 balls, pulled Mumbai out of the doldrums after they were reduced to 106/7 at one stage.
Mumbai were 353/9 at stumps against Tamil Nadu’s first innings score of 146.
Sai Kishore (6/97) ran through a chunk of Mumbai’s batting line-up, while Shreyas Iyer (3) fell to pacer Sandeep Warrier as Tamil Nadu looked to call the shots.
But Thakur launched a stunning onslaught, putting each of the Tamil Nadu bowlers under severe pressure while forging vital partnerships along the way to give Mumbai the control.
Thakur teamed up with Hardik Tamore (35) for a crucial 105-run stand for the eighth wicket and took Mumbai further ahead in the company of Kotian, adding another 79 runs for the ninth wicket.
At the end of the day’s play, Thakur, however, was critical of the BCCI’s scheduling of the Ranji games. The all-rounder said playing 10 matches with just three-day gaps between games could lead to injuries to players.
“It’s difficult because we are playing first-class games with three days’ gap — that has never happened in Ranji Trophy season ever,” Thakur said.
“You know the schedule is becoming tighter and tighter. If boys keep playing like this for two more seasons, there will be lot of injuries across the country.
“Next year, they (the BCCI) have to re-look at it and give more break,” he added.
Mantri mettle
In Nagpur, Himanshu Mantri showed patience and technical aptitude while constructing a fine hundred to singlehandedly guide Madhya Pradesh to 252 in their first innings against Vidarbha on the second day of the other semi-final.
Mantri’s 126 off 265 balls (13x4, 1x6) helped Madhya Pradesh to gain a small yet significant 82-run lead after beginning the day at 47/1.
In their second innings, Vidarbha reached 13 for the loss of Atharva Taide at stumps, trailing by 69 runs.
Summarised scores
In Mumbai: Tamil Nadu 146. Mumbai 353/9 (Shardul Thakur 109, Tanush Kotian 74 n.o.; R Sai Kishore 6/97).
In Nagpur: Vidarbha 170 & 13/1. Madhya Pradesh 252 (Himanshu Mantri 126; Umesh Yadav 3/40).
