Fifer for Kulkarni, but Ranji champs face stiff challenge as Rest amass 668

Despite a five-wicket haul by young pacer Dhawal Kulkarni, Ranji champions Mumbai face an uphill task in the Irani Trophy tie against Rest Of India. Rest soared to 668 with the help of a fine ton by Parthiv Patel (125) and useful knocks by S Badrinath (94), Virat Kohli (90) and R Ashwin (73).

Mumbai, the 39-time Ranji Trophy champions, were 26 without loss in the 10 overs they faced in the remainder of the second day's play. They had to face some anxious moments as captain Wasim Jaffer was dropped off Abhimanyu Mithun at square leg.


Mumbai's Dhawal Kulkarni celebrates after castling Rest of
India's S Badrinath at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
on Saturday. pic/Kamal Julka

Three early wickets
Earlier in the day, Kulkarni had removed Abhinav Mukund (11), Yuvraj Singh (4) and Badrinath in the first session to lift Mumbai's hopes.

But Kohli and Patel dispelled all fears of a Mumbai comeback and batted freely. While Badrinath and Kohli missed out on hundreds, Parthiv plundered the Mumbai attack sans veteran Ajit Agarkar, who did not take the field due to fever. Parthiv slammed the Mumbai attack for 18 fours.

Yuvraj disappoints
The biggest disappointment of the day was Yuvraj Singh, who after briefly occupying the crease for 18 balls, was bowled by Kulkarniu00a0-- who was in midst of his fine spell. Kulkarni removed overnight batsman Abhinav Mukund (161) and then after castling Yuvraj also got rid off Badrinath.

The lanky Mumbai lad finished with five for 148 of his 35.5 overs. Part-time bowler Rohit Sharma took three for 3 for 23 and Ramesh Powar took 2 for 160 out of the nine bowlers tried by Jaffer.

Brief scores: ROI 668 all out (Mukund 161, Patel 125, Badrinath 94, Kohli 90, Kulkarni 5-148); Mumbai 26-0u00a0 (Jaffer 18 no)