Ranji Trophy: UP skipper Rana smashes 106 against Rahane-led Mumbai

UP’s Nitish Rana (left) celebrates his century against Mumbai with teammate Akshdeep Nath at Wankhede on Saturday. Pic/Atul Kamble

Delhi-based Nitish Rana, who shifted to Uttar Pradesh (UP) this season, led from the front by scoring an attacking 106 (12x4, 5x6) against Mumbai and helped his new team to take a 126-run first innings lead in their Elite Group ‘B' Ranji Trophy match at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday.

Mumbai ended Day Two with 24 without loss in the second essay, trailing by 102 runs.

In reply to Mumbai's first innings total of 198, the visitors responded with 324.

UP's overnight pair of opener Samarth Singh (63, 8x4) and one-drop Shivam Sharma (31, 4x4) frustrated the Mumbai bowlers by stitching a 53-run stand for the second wicket. Pacers Mohit Avasthi (1-66) and Royston Dias (3-54) tested their patience by bowling frequent bouncers, but in vain. Finally, debutant pacer Sylvester D'Souza (1-51) broke the partnership by sending back Shivam when substitute fielder Amogh Bhatkal, took a sharp catch at gully.

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Dube impressive

Later, all-rounder Shivam Dube (3-32), who was introduced in the 35th over, clean bowled No. 4 Priyam Garg (10) in his day's very first over. Dube's accuracy paid the dividends as he disturbed Karan Sharma's (2) furniture. In his next over, Dube had Samarth caught by Jay Bista at gully.

In 24 overs between lunch and tea, No. 6 Rana and Akshdeep Nath (41, 5x4) fought back. They shared a 137-run sixth wicket stand.

Rana was lucky to survive when Dias dropped him near the mid-wicket fence off left-arm spinner Shams Mulani (1-63); the ball going over the ropes. The six opened Rana's account. The left-hander smashed Mulani for six off the very next ball.

Rana capitalised on the opportunity to score his seventh first-class century in his 47th game.

Rana, who has represented the country in one ODI and a couple of T20Is, admitted he lost the habit of scoring hundreds in red-ball cricket. "A hundred always gives you satisfaction. It was a mistake not to focus on red-ball cricket. A lot of people said that I wasn't a red-ball player and now I will not have to listen to that talk. From the time I switched from Delhi, my target has been to make a name in red-ball cricket again," he said.

Rahane injured

Mulani led Mumbai in the absence of Ajinkya Rahane, who is nursing a hamstring injury. The stand-in captain said that Rahane will bat in Mumbai's second innings. "UP are an attacking team and we created a chance for us to get back in the game by bowling in the right areas and restricting them to 320. It's all about how our batsmen apply themselves [in the second innings] as two days are left and it's a long game," said Mulani, who dismissed Rana caught and bowled.

Brief scores
Mumbai 198 & 24-0 v Uttar Pradesh 324 (N Rana 106, S Singh 63, A Nath 41; S Dube 3-32, R Dias 3-54)