Prithvi Shaw’s quickfire 76 off 105 deliveries steered Mumbai to a healthy lead of 274 runs on Day 4 of the Irani Cup match against the Rest of India on a challenging, turning wicket at the Bharat Ratna Sri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium here on Friday.
The Ranji champions ended the day at 153 for 6, countering a strong spin attack from the Rest of India side. Saransh Jain’s 4 for 67 and Manav Suthar’s 2 for 40 kept ROI in the contest, but Mumbai’s lead looks imposing.
Earlier, starting the day at 316 for 4, Abhimanyu Easwaran and Dhruv Jurel extended their overnight partnership. Jurel brought up his fifty with a fortuitous boundary, and the duo reached a 100-run partnership soon after.
Easwaran, meanwhile, kept punishing Mumbai’s bowlers, compiling a brilliant 191.
Mumbai spinner Shams Mulani provided the breakthrough, dismissing Jurel for 93 with a delivery that pitched in the rough and caught the batsman gloving a sweep to the keeper. Mulani also accounted for Easwaran shortly after, luring him into a top-edged sweep to fine leg just before Lunch.
ROI’s innings then crumbled quickly, with Mulani and Tanush Kotian cleaning up the lower order, restricting ROI to 416, giving Mumbai a 121-run lead.
Shaw opened Mumbai’s second innings with intent, blasting Mukesh Kumar for three consecutive boundaries in the early overs. His aggressive half-century came off just 37 balls as he helped Mumbai race to 40 for no loss within five overs.
However, ROI’s spinners hit back. Saransh Jain was the standout bowler, stumping Ayush Mhatre before Tea and later dismissing Shaw, who had been anchoring Mumbai’s innings. Saransh also removed Mulani and Shreyas Iyer, who was bowled by a delivery that turned sharply, but Mumbai’s lower order held on.
Mumbai ended the day with Tanush Kotian and Sarfaraz Khan at the crease, leaving the Ranji champions in a commanding position as they aim to clinch the title on the final day.
Brief Scores: Mumbai 537 & 153/6 (Prithvi Shaw 76, Tanush Kotian 20*; Saransh Jain 4-67)
Rest of India 416 (Abhimanyu Easwaran 191, Dhruv Jurel 93; Tanush Kotian 3-101, Shams Mulani 3-122)
