Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai produced a batting masterclass on Day 1 of the 2016 Irani Trophy as they thrashed the Rest of India bowlers without mercy racking up 386 runs in just 83 overs at stumps. The opening pair of Jay Gokul Bista and Akhil Herwadkar added 193 runs for the opening wicket to the set of the day with Suryakumar Yadav inching close to a century himself remaining unbeaten on 88.
The 15-time Irani Trophy champions came into the contest looking to emulate the feat of Karnataka, the Ranji Trophy champions in 2013-14 and 2014-15 who totally outplayed the Rest of India squad in the last two editions and by the look of things at the end of the opening day, a similar fate looks very much on the cards.
Once the opening pair for Mumbai negotiated the initial assistance for the faster bowlers with a lot of grass covering on the pitch, it was plain sailing for the home side as runs flowed with ease. Jay Gokul Bista was the star of the day as he smashed a 90-ball 104, a knock which included 15 fours and a six. The Nepal-born cricketer looked effortless in his strokeplay and took the game away from the opposition with his fearless approach.
Shreyas Iyer impressed once again
By lunch on the opening day, the Mumbai batsmen had raced to 159 runs in just 31 overs as Bista and his opening partner Akhil Herwadkar launched a batting onslaught much to the delight of the crowd. Herwadkar missed out on a well-deserved century falling ten runs short of the milestone but he can be more than happy with the way he contributed to putting his side in a commanding position.
Shreyas Iyer continued his blistering run of form with a knock of 55 that came at a strike rate of more than 100. Skipper Aditya Tare’s decision to bat first after winning the toss got, even more, vindication as Suryakumar Yadav got the fourth 50+ score of the day and piled on the misery for the opposition players who looked drained physically and mentally after an unforgiving day at the Brabourne Stadium.
Krishna Das, Ankit Rajpoot and Stuart Binny got one wicket each but were expensive with the former conceding runs at nearly six an over from his 19 overs. The pair of Jayadev Unadkat and Jayant Yadav, who were expected to be the prime bowlers had a hugely disappointing day as they went wicketless.
With the likes of Abhishek Nayar and Siddesh Lad still to come in, Mumbai looks destined to add to their huge scoring and cap off a truly dominating domestic season in style.
Brief Scores: Mumbai 386/3 off 83 overs ( Stumps – Day 1) – Jay Bista 104, Akhil Herwadkar 90, SuryaKumar Yadav 88*; Stuart Binny 1/45.
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