Email
Print
ShareMumbai: Mumbai skipper Wasim Jaffer showed real intent when he declared the team's second innings at 335 for seven and set Himachal Pradesh a sporting target of 252. At stumps on Day Three, the visitors were four for no loss. Day Four promises to produce an exciting day of cricket with Mumbai needing 10 wickets for a win, and Himachal Pradesh, who have already gained the first innings lead, bent on gaining points.
Ajit Agarkar was the star of the day for Mumbai. The 31-year-old vice-captain struck an unbeaten 102 and added 91 for the eighth wicket with Iqbal Abdullah (52 n.o.) to pull Mumbai out of a precarious position at the MCA's BKC ground.
With one eye on victory, Mumbai declared once Agarkar reached his century. Resuming at the overnight score of 76 for no loss, Mumbai got off to a shaky start. The early morning conditions favoured the seamers.Opener Sahil Kukreja didn't add to his overnight score of 35. He was bowled by medium-pacer Vikramjeet Singh Malik in the very first over of the day.
Ajinkya Rahane, who hasn't been in the best of form, struck his first half-century of the season. However, he was trapped in front by Malik before Mumbai could reach the three-figure mark.
A big partnership was the need of the hour. However, it wasn't to be. Mumbai lost two crucial wickets -- that of Rohit Sharma and Abhishek Nayar -- in a single over. Left- arm seamer Mukesh Sharma delivered the twin strikes for Himachal Pradesh.
Skipper Jaffer made a half-century but couldn't carry on. Mumbai were 193 for five at that stage. Agarkar's century couldn't have been better timed. The veteran was a tad lucky as he got two lives off the bowling of Sharma. But to his credit, he didn't lose focus and made runs. Agarkar reached his ton in style with a leg glance off medium-pacer Jitender Kumar. Left-arm spinner Abdulla was intelligent when it came to his batting too.
"Scoring a hundred when your team requires it is always satisfying. Rahane, Jaffer and Abdulla played big roles in bailing the team out of trouble," Agarkar said after the day's play. "It is my first century for Mumbai and I enjoyed batting in these tough conditions," the all-rounder added.
