Shardul Thakur countered R Sai Kishore’s six-wicket haul with his maiden first-class century and helped Mumbai stretch their first-innings lead to 207 against Tamil Nadu in their Ranji Trophy semi-final at the Bandra Kurla Complex. In response to TN’s 146, Mumbai were 353 for 9 at stumps on the second day, with Tanush Kotian (74*) unbeaten along with No.11 Tushar Deshpande (17*).When Thakur had walked out to bat on the second morning, Mumbai were 106 for 7, still 40 runs behind TN. Sai Kishore had just ripped one from wide outside off to storm through the defences of Shams Mulani for a duck. In the same over, Sai Kishore had removed Musheer Khan for 55, with N Jagadeesan pulling off a smart stumping.Related
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Thakur came out attacking and sent Sai Kishore to the midwicket boundary with a rasping slog-sweep. Sai Kishore wheeled away for a 22-over spell that was only interrupted by the lunch break. During the marathon spell, Sai Kishore had also snagged nightwatcher Mohit Avasthi (2) and Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane (19) with turn and bounce.Thakur then struck up a 105-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Hardik Tamore, who contributed 32. Thakur lined up rookie left-arm fingerspinner S Ajith Ram and pumped him down the ground when he erred too full on the stumps. Then when Ajith shifted his lines wider, Thakur stayed leg-side of the ball and cracked him away through extra-cover or cover-point.