Srinagar: Siddhesh Lad struck a resilient century (116) while Shams Mulani remained unbeaten on 79 to guide Mumbai to a strong 336 for five after an early collapse on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group D clash against Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday.
Opting to bat first, Mumbai were struggling at 141 for four after losing Ayush Mhatre (28), Musheer Khan (0), and former captain Ajinkya Rahane (27) cheaply. Sarfaraz Khan (42) provided brief support, stitching a 67-run stand with Lad before being run out in the 40th over.
Lad, who batted at No. 4, anchored the innings with a composed 156-ball 116, laced with 17 fours and three sixes. His dismissal—stumped off Abid Mushtaq in the 70th over—ended a crucial 159-run partnership with Mulani, who continued to hold firm till stumps with a well-crafted 79 not out off 125 balls (8×4, 1×6).
Earlier, J&K pacer Yudhvir Singh struck twice, removing Mhatre and Rahane, while the hosts maintained early pressure. However, Mumbai’s middle order, led by Lad and Mulani, steadied the innings effectively.
In other matches, Delhi posted 256 for three against Hyderabad, riding on fifties from Sanat Sangwan (91*), Ayush Badoni (53), and Ayush Dodeja (97*). Sangwan and Dodeja were unbeaten at stumps after adding 149 runs for the fourth wicket. Badoni, who hit nine boundaries in his 72-ball 53, was trapped leg-before by Chama Milind (2/34).
At Rajsamand, Chhattisgarh recovered from 49 for five to reach 287 for seven at stumps, thanks to Ajay Mandal’s unbeaten 116. Supported by Ashutosh Singh (44), Aditya Sarwate (43), and Vasudev Bareth (46*), Mandal led a fine lower-order fightback. Khaleel Ahmed (2/65) and Ankit Chaudhary (3/41) were Rajasthan’s top bowlers.
Meanwhile, rain curtailed play to just 60 overs at the Seichem Stadium in Puducherry, where Himachal Pradesh reached 176 for five against the hosts. Ekant Sen (50) and Mayank Dagar (82*) registered fifties before play was halted.
Brief Scores:
At Srinagar: Mumbai 336/5 in 83 overs (Siddhesh Lad 116, Sarfaraz Khan 42, Shams Mulani 79*; Yudhvir Singh 2/82) vs J&K.
At Hyderabad: Delhi 256/3 in 83 overs (Sanat Sangwan 91*, Ayush Badoni 53, Ayush Dodeja 97*; Chama Milind 2/34) vs Hyderabad.
At Rajsamand: Chhattisgarh 287/7 in 87 overs (Ashutosh Singh 44, Ajay Mandal 116*, Vasudev Bareth 46*; Khaleel Ahmed 2/65, Ankit Choudhary 3/41) vs Rajasthan.
At Puducherry: Himachal Pradesh 176/5 in 60 overs (Ekant Sen 50, Mayank Dagar 82*; Sagar Udeshi 3/33) vs Puducherry.
