Ranji Trophy: Suryakumar Yadav Century Helps Mumbai Dominate Madhya Pradesh

Skipper Suryakumar Yadav struck a superb century, his sixth in first-class cricket and second of the season, while young opener Akhil Herwadkar missed his ton by just three runs as Mumbai dominated Madhya Pradesh on day one of the four-day Group A Ranji Trophy match here today.

The 24-year-old Yadav took full advantage of a pedestrian MP bowling attack to stroke his way to 135 off 145 balls, after openers Aditya Tare (37) and left-handed Herwadkar (97) laid a good foundation of 93 runs, to help Mumbai end the opening day at a commanding 375 for 4 in 87 overs.

The only batsman to fail was no 3 Shreyas Iyer who came into the game after scoring a brilliant century against Bengal at Kolkata as the home batsmen made merry against a toothless attack after being asked to bat first at the Wankhede Stadium.

After the dismissals in quick succession of Tare, caught in the slip cordon, and Iyer - caught at covers, Herwadkar got involved in a breezy third wicket stand of 104 in 117 balls with his captain who struck 22 fours and a pulled six in his 215-minute stay.

After Herwadkar was lured out of his crease and stumped after staying at the wicket for 235 minutes and striking 15 fours and a six in 151 balls, Yadav and Siddhesh Lad stitched a fourth wicket stand of 130 in 179 balls to frustrate MP.

The partnership ended when Yadav was castled attempting a heave to leg off Harpreet Singh who was the eighth bowler used by MP skipper Devendra Bundela to break the stand.

Thereafter Lad, batting on 69 studded with 11 fours, and youngster Sarfraz Khan (20 off 29 balls) continued to plunder the tired MP attack to add 42 runs for the unfinished fifth wicket before stumps were drawn.

For MP, Puneet Datey claimed 2 for 62, his wickets being those of Tare and Iyer in the space of six balls. Left arm spinner Ankit Sharma (1 for 41) and Harpreet Singh (1 for 21) got the other two wickets that fell.

Brief scores: Mumbai 375 for 4 (A Tare 37, A Herwadkar 97, S Yadav 135, S Lad batting 69, S Khan batting 20; P Datey 2 for 62) v Madhya Pradesh.