Shamik Chakrabarty, Mumbai
In the first session, rain played peek-a-boo. In the second, it was non-stop. If a sharp shower had halted the proceedings for 25 minutes before lunch, a downpour after the break brought down the curtain on the second day’s play of the Ranji Trophy match between Mumbai and Chhattisgarh here at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) at 1.51 pm, two-and-a-half hours before the scheduled close.
By then though, Mumbai had moved to a position of strength, going past 400 in their first innings. The pitch at the MCA ground at BKC has started to assist the spinners. Some deliveries turned sharply, a few jumped off a length, while the odd one kept low. Weather permitting, the hosts will fancy their chances of an outright win in this game.
Mumbai resumed on an overnight 251/5 and lost Shams Mulani early on Day 2. Ajinkya Rahane, who retired hurt on 118 yesterday, came out to bat and continued with his masterclass of playing spin on a tricky surface. Chhattisgarh have Aditya Sarwate’s experience to boast of in their spin-bowling ranks. Rahane tamed him, and Ajay Mandal, by playing late and with soft hands. He hardly missed out on loose deliveries. It was vintage Rahane until Sarwate made one kick off a length that found the outside edge to the ‘keeper. It was almost an unplayable delivery.
Rahane is 37 and the national selectors have moved on from him. Still, the former India and Mumbai captain is playing the Ranji Trophy because of his commitment to Mumbai cricket. He remains an example for the youngsters in the team — what it means to play for the 42-time champions. Rahane batted for 405 minutes and faced 303 balls for his 159.
At the other end, the veteran found an able ally in Akash Anand. A Don Bosco alumnus, Anand has started his first-class career late. This is only his sixth game at this level, after making his Ranji Trophy debut last season. The 30-year-old looked pretty compact in his defensive game, as he stitched a 70-run seventh wicket partnership with Rahane. He was batting on 60, when the day was done.
Shardul Thakur’s cameo — 29 off 42 balls — helped Mumbai up the ante. For Chhattisgarh, Sarwate took four wickets, while medium pacer Ravi Kiran claimed three.
Brief scores: Mumbai 406/8 (Ajinkya Rahane 159, Akash Anand 60 batting; Aditya Sarwate 4/103, Ravi Kiran 3/53) vs Chhattisgarh
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