Lad and Mulani make it Mumbais day

In a group with youthful skills like Ayush Mhatre and Musheer Khan and established gamers of the ilk of Ajinkya Rahane and Sarfaraz Khan, Siddhesh Lad and Shams Mulani might not at all times bask within the highlight. But on day one of many new Ranji Trophy season, Lad and Mulani have been Mumbai’s central figures in a splendid restoration in opposition to Jammu & Kashmir on the Sher E Kashmir Cricket Stadium.

In verdant environment on Wednesday, the 33-year-old Lad scored 116 whereas Mulani remained unbeaten on 79 because the Shardul Thakur-led facet posted 336 for 5 in 83 overs on the shut of play. From 141 for 4 at one stage, it was a commendable fightback from the home heavyweight.

The 4 batters dismissed by then have been Musheer, Mhatre, Rahane and Sarfaraz, placing the onus on Lad and Mulani to forge a 159-run alliance for the fifth wicket.

In the primary session, a floor with enough grass overlaying supplied help for the J&Okay pacers. While Aaqib Nabi bought Musheer caught by wicketkeeper Kanhaiya Wadhawan within the opening over of the day, Yudhvir Singh induced nicks from Mhatre and Rahane in fast succession in a while.

Sarfaraz did seem like within the temper for an enormous rating when he raced to 42 off 48 deliveries in a 67-run stand with Lad. But within the fortieth over, he was run out by a direct hit from J&Okay skipper Paras Dogra regardless of placing in a full-length dive.

As the pitch settled down within the post-lunch session, Lad and Mulani counter-attacked every time a chance arose. By citing his eleventh First Class century, Lad constructed on his glorious run final season. In Mumbai’s semifinal end within the 2024-25 Ranji marketing campaign, Lad was his group’s highest run-getter with 602 runs.

The No. 4 batter’s dismissal got here within the night session when he stepped out to left-arm spinner Abid Mushtaq. The ball unexpectedly spun previous Lad’s bat and had him stumped.

The scores: Mumbai — 1st innings: Musheer Khan c Wadhawan b Nabi 0, Ayush Mhatre c Wadhawan b Yudhvir 28, Ajinkya Rahane c Wadhawan b Yudhvir 27, Siddhesh Lad st. Wadhawan b Mushtaq 116, Sarfaraz Khan (run out) 42, Shams Mulani (batting) 79, Akash Anand (batting) 15; Extras (nb-4, lb-25): 29; Total (for 5 wkts. in 83 overs): 336.

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-61, 3-74, 4-141, 5-300.

J & Okay bowling: Nabi 19-7-43-1, Nazir 18-6-51-0, Yudhvir 16-3-82-2, Mushtaq 17-3-73-1, Lotra 10-1-46-0, Samad 3-1-16-0.

Toss: J&Okay.