Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 15: Sidhesh Lad showcased his batting prowess with a sublime century as Mumbai posted a commanding 336/5 at stumps on Day 1 of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group-A encounter against Jammu and Kashmir at the Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium, here today.
Lad anchored the innings with a fluent 116 off 156 balls, laced with 17 boundaries and 3 sixes, after Mumbai faced early trouble. His counter-attacking knock helped steady the innings and shift momentum in favour of the visitors. Shams Mulani provided crucial support with an unbeaten 79 off 125 balls, including 8 fours and a six. Akash Anand remained not out on 15 as play ended for the day.
Opting to bowl first, Jammu and Kashmir started strongly with pacer Aquib Nabi dismissing opener Musheer Khan for a duck in the very first over. Ayush Mhatre (28) and Ajinkya Rahane (27) made brief contributions before falling to Yudhvir Singh, who struck twice to reduce Mumbai to 74/3.
Lad then rebuilt the innings alongside Sarfaraz Khan, who smashed a quick 42 off 48 balls. Their 97-run partnership steadied Mumbai before Mulani joined Lad for another crucial stand.
J&K missed several chances in the field, though wicketkeeper Kanhaiya Wadhawan stood out with three catches and a smart stumping. Yudhvir Singh ended the day as J&K’s top bowler with 2 wickets, while Aquib Nabi and Abid Mushtaq claimed one each. With a solid foundation laid, Mumbai will aim to extend their advantage when play resumes on Day 2.
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