19 February,2022 07:37 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh Mayure
Sarfaraz Khan. Pic/Getty Images
Mumbai continued their dominance against defending champions Saurashtra on Day Two of their Ranji Trophy opener at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday. The 41-time champions declared their first innings on a mammoth 544-7. In reply, defending champions Saurashtra were 18 for no loss at stumps.
Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan's marathon knock of 275 (30x4, 7x6) was the highlight of the day. Sarfaraz, who resumed on an overnight 121, showed determination even after the departure of Ajinkya Rahane (129, 17x4, 2x6), who added just 21 to his overnight score of 108 before edging one to wicketkeeper Snell Patel off medium pacer Chirag Jani (2-83). After the 252-run stand with Rahane, Sarfaraz stitched two more crucial partnerships - 62 with No.7 Shams Mulani (12) and 118 with No.8 Tanush Kotian (50 not out).
Mumbai head coach Amol Muzumdar termed Sarfaraz's innings as a special knock. "He [Sarfaraz] is so determined. I love his attitude towards the game. It's brilliant. He's a fantastic cricketer," Muzumdar told mid-day on Friday. Muzumdar went on to give credit to Sarfaraz's father, Naushad, who is also his coach. "He [Sarfaraz] has worked hard on his game. His family needs to be credited for it. He has been with all the coaches. His dad has played a vital role," added Muzumdar, Mumbai's 2006-07 Ranji Trophy-winning captain. Muzumdar felt Sarfaraz is an India prospect. "Without a doubt. If he keeps scoring runs...200-plus then a triple hundred and another big century and again now a 275, which are big knocks. So, why not? He has already played India âA' and performed there. So, you never know," said Muzumdar, going on to praise Rahane for his persistent knock.
"He's [Rahane] phenomenal. He showed a great amount of concentration against a good attack. He went out there [and performed]. He was under some unwanted and unwarranted pressure, but it happens. It's a part of the game. The way he fought and showed commitment and determination was fantastic," Muzumdar concluded.
Brief scores
Mumbai 544-7 decl (S Khan 275, A Rahane 129, T Kotian 50'; C Jani 2-83, D Jadeja 2-191) v Saurashtra 18-0 (H Desai 6, S Patel 11)
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