In-form Sarfaraz Khan rescued Mumbai with an unbeaten double century, powering the visitors to a comfortable 372 for five after a top-order collapse on the opening day of their Group B game against Himachal Pradesh.
The 22-year-old Sarfaraz, who had hit an unbeaten triple-hundred in the last game against Uttar Pradesh, took a listless HP attack to cleaners, hitting 32 fours and four sixes during his unbeaten 226-run knock.
Electing to bowl the picturesque HPCA stadium, the home pacers exploited the windy conditions, grabbing three quick wickets to leave Mumbai reeling at 16 for three.
Sarfaraz started the rescue act first by conjuring up a 55-run stand with ‘crisis man’ Siddhesh Lad (20), to steady Mumbai’s ship.
And then he found an able alley in Aditya Tare (62), with whom he added 143-runs for the fifth wicket.
Mumbai lost its fifth wicket on 214 and Sarfaraz with Shubham Ranjane (44 not out) then put an unbroken 158-run stand, before umpires drew stumps early owing to bad light after 75 overs.
It was Sarfaraz show once again as he will strive to reach his second successive triple hundred, a rare feat in any form of cricket.
Majumdar leads bengal
Kolkata: Anustup Majumdar hit a unbeaten 94 under pressure to help Bengal reach 286 for five in Group A match against Delhi at Eden Gardens.
Majumdar, who looked in formidable form, had some anxious moments as he survived a run-out chance to remain unbeaten, alongside Shahbaz Ahmed (39 not out) at the end of day one.
The home team turned the game around in the second session as Majumdar found a fine ally in wicketkeeper-batsman Shreevats Goswami (59).
Scoring above four runs per over, the duo stitched a 117-run fifth wicket stand to give Bengal the edge.
Earlier put in to bat, Bengal’s top three batsmen, including last match’s triple centurion, Manoj Tiwary (7), got out inside lunch.
Vinay grabs six
Chandigarh: Puducherry found themselves on the mat at 37 for 4 after their veteran pacer R Vinay Kumar grabbed six wickets to bowl Chandigarh out for a paltry 134 in their top of the table Plate clash.
Vinay Kumar triggered a Chandigarh middle-order collapse with twin blows in his successive overs en route to 6/32 as the hosts were dismissed after lunch inside 38 overs after they were sent in to bat.
In reply, the Plate leaders Puducherry were reeling at 37 for four, trailing by 97 runs at close on first day with Chandigarh new ball bowler Shresth Nirmohi returning with figures of 3/17.