At the start of Day 3, Mumbai found themselves in a commanding position, with Ajinkya Rahane and Musheer Khan at the crease. While Rahane (73) fell short of a century, Musheer stole the spotlight, delivering a stellar performance that left spectators spellbound.
The 18-year-old scored a magnificent 136, breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record to become the youngest Mumbai batter to smash a hundred in a Ranji Trophy final, exhibiting a blend of skill and composure that belied his age. His innings exemplified maturity beyond his years, which proved his deep understanding of the game. Musheer’s remarkable display has catapulted his team to a formidable lead in the Ranji Trophy final, taking them close to victory.
Vidarbha’s bowling attack was put to the test by Musheer’s relentless batting assault. After reaching his century, he showcased his versatility with a flurry of aggressive T20-style shots, demonstrating not only his ability to build substantial innings but also his creative shot-making skills. The emergence of this young talent is very good news for Mumbai and Indian cricket.
Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer also played a crucial role in propelling Mumbai forward with a knock of 95. Iyer’s aggressive approach was evident from the outset, as he took the attack to the opposition right from the first ball. Together, Iyer and Musheer dominated Vidarbha’s bowling for two consecutive sessions. Although Iyer fell short of a century, being dismissed by Aditya Thakare, his contribution had already made a significant impact.
The lower order of the Mumbai batting line-up got their ‘khadoos’ nature out on the field with Shams Mulani joining the party with an impressive knock of 50 not out, which rubbed salt in the wounds of the Vidarbha bowlers. Not much happened for Vidarbha on Day 3, although they would celebrate Harsh Dubey’s five-wicket haul. Dubey, however, lacked support at the other end. Mumbai at the end of Day 3 finished their second innings on 418, with Vidarbha requiring a massive 528 runs to win.
In other cricketing news:
Rishabh Pant is returning to competitive fold after a long lay-off. A smooth IPL is likely to take him to the T20 World Cup. Jurel favourite as the back-up
✍️@shamik100#BCCI #dhruvjurel https://t.co/6gMII5aY4W
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Mumbai stand as clear favorites, their commanding lead seemingly placing victory firmly within their grasp. Vidarbha, faced with the daunting task of chasing down a seemingly insurmountable total based on their first innings performance, will rely heavily on their opening batsmen to lay a solid foundation for their innings.
Amidst the anticipation, all eyes will be on the seasoned campaigner, Dhawal Kulkarni, making his final appearance at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in a first-class match. As the stage is set for an enthralling day of cricket, Day 4 promises to deliver a spectacle filled with action and drama.
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