Sarfaraz leads Mumbai’s fightback against former team
MUMBAI: “I was in tears when I was packing off my Mumbai Ranji kit and leaving for Uttar Pradesh,” recalled a satisfied Sarfaraz Khan, who on Tuesday smacked his first-ever century for Mumbai against his former side Uttar Pradesh in their Elite Group B Ranji Trophy clash at the Wankhede Stadium.
Sarfaraz’s 132 not out (14 fours, 6 sixes) and Siddhesh Lad’s 98 powered Mumbai’s fightback in an otherwise drab game for the hosts, who still have a lot of ground to cover on the final day. Mumbai, thanks to a 210-run stand between the two on Day Three, reached 353 for five in reply to UP’S monumental 625 for eight declared, at stumps on Tuesday. Mumbai are still behind by another 272 runs in the first innings.
A few seasons ago, Sarfaraz had left Mumbai for Uttar Pradesh—on his father’s instructions as he recalls. But the aggressive right-hand batsman returned to the city in mid-2018, and spent a year ‘cooling-off’ as per norms. His comeback was completed truly on Tuesday when he stroked his way to his maiden century for Mumbai, against a bowling attack he knew very well and in a situation when his team needed him the most.
Mumbai resumed at 20 for two, looking at a mountain to climb. Newcomers Bhupen Lalwani (43) and Hardik Tamore (51) began Mumbai’s resistance with a 75-run stand, until UP pacer Wajid Ali removed the former, trapping him leg-before. After a brief stand with Lad, Tamore perished too when Ankit Rajpoot went through his defence.
With Mumbai placed precariously at 128 for four, Sarfaraz and Lad decided to take the attack to the opposition. They put on a rapid 210 runs for the fifth wicket, with Sarfaraz being the aggressor—he contributed with 131 while Lad garnered 77.
Lad fell agonisingly close to his
first century of the season when he chased a wide delivery and was caught behind off Mohammad Saif. His 98 came off 174 balls, 10 fours and one six as Mumbai’s ‘Crisis Man’ came to the team’s rescue for the first time this season, after a string of poor scores.
But it was Sarfaraz who stole the limelight on Tuesday. Refusing to be known as a white-ball specialist, the right-hander said after the day’s play, “I know the UP bowlers, I know their attack well. A big innings was due for a long time. Lad and I had decided that post-lunch session tends to bring a lot of runs. We both are attacking batsmen, so what if one of their batsmen has got a double ton? We both got runs.”
“We bat deep. We will try to see-off the first 30 odd minutes, and afterthatifwebatwellthen it (UP’S total) can be chased easily,” said Sarfaraz.
Going back in time, Sarfaraz said he never thought he would represent Mumbai again. “I know, I am a little behind in life but I am learning. I have struggled a lot—i went to UP and now I am back. I have so much trust in my batting (ability) that I believe that I bat better against the redball than the white,” he said.
“I never thought that I would play for Mumbai again,” concluded Sarfaraz.