Mumbai XI's Suryakumar Yadav and Kastubh Pawar hit centuries on day two of the three-day practice match against the New Zealanders at the Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi, on Saturday. Mumbai ended the day on 431/5, taking a lead of 107 runs.
After declaring their innings on 324/7, the New Zealanders were in the driver’s seat after taking an early wicket of Mumbai’s Jay Bista for a duck. Mumbai ended day one on 29/1 and knew they had to buckle up against the fiery Kiwi bowling lineup.
Day three began with Pawar and Armaan Jaffer at the crease. Pawar scored a scintillating hundred, with Jaffer hitting 69 runs. Pawar retired out after his century, giving Rohit Sharma an opportunity to hit top form before the first Test against New Zealand on September 22. However, he too fell on 18 after being stumped by Ish Sodhi. Then began the run feast with Yadav smashing an 86-ball 103 which included nine fours and eight sixes. Yadav ensured that Mumbai had the advantage against the Kiwis.
None of the New Zealand bowlers were on the money with Sodhi bagging two wickets for 132 runs. Trent Boult also failed to leave a mark taking one wicket in the 12 overs he bowled. Mitchell Santner took the wicket of Yadav, but gave away 71 runs.
The 41-time Ranji champions gained the upper hand with captain Aditya Tare and Siddesh Lad at the crease, unbeaten on 53 and 86 respectively. Lad was on fire, smashing 86, layered with seven fours and seven sixes, in 62 balls.
Brief scores:
New Zealanders 234/7 trail Mumbai XI 431/5 (Kastubh Pawar 100, Suryakumar Yadav 103; Ish Sodhi 2/132) by 107 runs.