Shreyas Iyer celebrated his selection to the Indian team for the upcoming T20 series against New Zealand with an aggressive ton in second innings of the Ranji Trophy game against Tamil Nadu at MCA’s Bandra Kurla Complex on Friday. His 134 runs came just of 124 balls after 205 minutes stay at the crease. The stylish right handed no. 3 batsman also scored a half century (57) in the first innings in which Prithvi Shaw scored 123.
Left-handed opening batsman Akhil Herwadkar also made amends for his first innings duck by slamming a century in the second. Herwadkar who could not do much last season due to an injury, scored 132 of 244 balls with 14 fours and three sixes.
Having conceded a 76-run lead already due to late heroics of Tamil Nadu bowling allrounder Yo Mahesh who made ton, Mumbai batted the full day on the final day to ensure they get one point. The hosts who scored 374 in the first innings, needed an outright win to get five points but they took no chances of a declaration on a flat wicket which showed no signs of deterioration. Tamil Nadu walked away with three points. Mumbai now have just four points after two games.
Mumbai resumed the second innings on Friday at 85/1 after Shaw was out for just five on Thursday evening. Iyer was unbeaten on 56 and lefthanded opening batsman Herwadkar was unbeaten on 24. Iyer continued to dominate the bowlers and rushed to his 11th firstclass hundred in 100 balls with a six over long-on followed by a well timed pull through mid-wicket of Yo Mahesh. He smashed nine sixes, including one of Ravicharan Ashwin. He is now the third player after Ravi Shastri (13) and Sachin Tendulkar (9) to hit nine or more sixes in an innings for Mumbai. His whirlwind knock included 11 hits to the boundary. Iyer was ultimately run out by trying to sneak a second run after flicking the ball but fell short due to K. Vignesh’s accurate throw. In the first innings he scored 57 of 62 balls. Herwadkar supported him well in the 187-run partnership. The left-hander grew in confidence and played some amazing shots especially two onside sixes of Ashwin. Mumbai ended up making 371/5 before stumps with Siddesh Lad the last man out for 40. Ashwin went wicketless in 26 overs in which he conceded 110 runs.
