Ranji Trophy: Raghuvanshi and Musheer put Mumbai in control on opening day

Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Musheer Khan laid the platform for Mumbai on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy match against Haryana at the MCA’s Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy ground on Monday. Their partnership and centuries helped Mumbai reach 290 for three before bad light ended play early.

Raghuvanshi scored his maiden First Class century, finishing on 114 (180b, 13x4, 1x6), while Musheer made 109 (185b, 12x4, 1x6) as the pair combined for a 208-run stand for the second wicket. Musheer’s innings strengthened his claim at No. 3, and the pair’s work left Haryana’s decision to field first yielding little reward. Play was halted due to bad light with Mumbai 290 for three.

Haryana captain Ankit Kumar had chosen to bowl first hoping the fresh pitch would assist his pace attack, but the bowlers found it difficult to contain the two youngsters after an early breakthrough. Divyaansh Saxena was trapped lbw by Aman Kumar for 10, and thereafter the Mumbai batting settled under Raghuvanshi and Musheer.

Raghuvanshi began cautiously, while Musheer immediately looked willing to step out of the crease and unsettle the bowlers. Raghuvanshi’s first boundary came as a straight drive off Ajith Chahal on the 27th ball he faced, after which his scoring rate increased.

Both batsmen relied on orthodox strokeplay, driving when the bowlers pitched up and then adding cuts and sweeps once spin was introduced, keeping the run rate close to four runs an over. Shortly before tea Raghuvanshi was caught behind off Samant Jakhar, and Musheer completed his century with a single off Kanishk Chauhan.

Musheer was then dismissed leg-before to Anuj Thakral, bringing Sarfaraz Khan to the crease, who batted through the final hour alongside captain Siddhesh Lad. The scorecard read: Mumbai – 1st innings: Divyaansh Saxena lbw b Aman 10, Angkrish Raghuvanshi c Dalal b Jakhar 114, Musheer Khan lbw b Thakral 109, Siddhesh Lad (batting) 29, Sarfaraz Khan (batting) 21; Extras (b-5, w-2): 7; Total (for three wkts. in 82 overs): 290. Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-220, 3-255.

Haryana bowling figures were: Aman 14-6-40-1, Ajit 15-1-44-0, Thakral 13-1-55-1, Sindhu 9-0-51-0, Jakhar 8-1-25-1, Chouhan 20-1-59-0, Vats 3-0-11-0.