Dube scores his second century of the season to guide Mumbai to safe waters
Forges a crucial 103run partnership with Mulani for the sixth wicket; Shardul’s sixfor earlier sees Assam reduced to 84 in the first innings
hen Shivam Dube (101 batting, 95b, 10x4, 5x6) reached his second century of the season on Friday with a single, the celebrations were subdued. He raised his bat, slowly walked towards the nonstriker’s end to hug Shardul Thakur, and then quietly went about his business.
Mumbai was reeling at 60 for four when Dube walked in. Fortunately for the home side, things didn’t look that grim owing to Shardul’s sixfor (6 for 21) earlier, which had seen Assam reduce to 84 in the first innings.
As the day progressed, Dube took things in his
Wstride and forged a crucial 103run partnership with Shams Mulani for the sixth wicket to ensure Mumbai ended the day at 217 for 6, with a lead of 133 runs.
Returning to the team after a break, Dube seemed to be in no hurry. He aimed to rebuild with captain Ajinkya Rahane, who looked to be in rhythm before being given out for obstructing the field when the India international got in the way of a throw from the midon fielder.
Although Assam decided to withdraw the appeal later, Rahane could not capitalise, adding only four runs to his tally before being cleaned up by Dibakar Johori.
With the focus back on him, Dube partnered with the seasoned Mulani to guide Mumbai to safer waters.
If the final two sessions of the day belonged to Dube, it was Shardul who dominated the first half. On a surface that offered ample bounce early on, Shardul tore through Assam’s toporder. While he claimed three wickets, conceding just 16 runs in the first spell, Shardul returned to claim three more wickets, giving away just 22 runs in the second spell.
The scores: Assam — 1st innings: Parvej Musharaf b Shardul 2, Rahul Hazarika c Lalwani b Avasthi 3, Sumit Ghadigaonkar c Tamore b Shardul 4, Abhishek Thakuri c
Kotian b Mulani 31, Denish Das c&b Shardul 5, Saahil Jain c Shedge b Mulani 12, Abdul Ajij Kuraishi b Deshpande 15, Kunal Sarma c Shaw b Shardul 1, Sunil Lachit lbw b Shardul 2, Dibakar Johori b Shardul 0, Rahul Singh (not out) 4; Extras (lb-5) 5; Total (in 32.1 overs): 84.
Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-9, 3-9, 4-20, 5-50, 6-59, 7-76, 8-80, 9-80.
Mumbai bowling: Avasthi 5-2-10-1, Shardul 10.1-0-21-6, Deshpande 7-0-32-1, Mulani 8-2-8-2, Kotian 2-1-8-0.
Mumbai — 1st innings: Prithvi Shaw lbw b Johori 30, Bhupen Lalwani c Ghadigaonkar b Lachit 0, Hardik Tamore b Rahul 22, Ajinkya Rahane b Johori 22, Suryansh Shedge lbw Rahul 0, Shivam Dube (batting) 101, Shams Mulani c Lachit b Sarma 31, Shardul Thakur (batting) 2; Extras (b- 4, lb-2, wd-3): 9; Total (for 6 wkts. in 48.4 overs): 217.
Fall of wickets: 1-31, 2-31, 3-60, 4-60, 5-110, 6-213.
Assam bowling: Lachit 10-2-41-1, Johori 11-1-49-2, Rahul 9-1-42-2, Kuraishi 9-3-31-0, Sarma 8.4-0-48-1, Musaraf 1-1-0-0.