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NEW DELHI: All-rounder Shardul Thakur’s (109) scintillating maiden first-class ton and Tanush Kotian’s unbeaten 74 helped Mumbai take a commanding 207-run first-innings lead over Tamil Nadu on the second day of the Ranji Trophy semifinal on Sunday, regardless of R Sai Kishore’s spectacular six-wicket haul.Thakur’s aggressive century, which included 13 fours and 4 sixes off simply 104 balls, rescued Mumbai from a precarious place of 106 for seven.By the top of the day’s play, Mumbai had reached 353 for 9 in response to Tamil Nadu’s first innings whole of 146, with Sai Kishore being the best bowler for Tamil Nadu.Sai Kishore (6/97) ran via a piece of Mumbai’s batting line-up, whereas Shreyas Iyer (3) fell to pacer Sandeep Warrier as Tamil Nadu levelled up with the hosts for the primary time within the recreation.However Thakur launched a shocking onslaught, placing every of Tamil Nadu bowlers beneath extreme strain whereas forging important partnerships alongside the way in which to take Mumbai far forward within the recreation.Thakur teamed up with Hardik Tamore (35) for a vital 105-run stand for the eighth wicket and took Mumbai additional forward within the firm of Kotian, including one other 79 runs for the ninth wicket.Utilizing his blade to perfection, Thakur was adroit along with his arms to pierce gaps at will and didn’t miss out clearing the sphere with disdain 4 instances for maximums — one among which additionally introduced up his maiden century throughout codecs.Thakur, who additionally struggled with an ankle-related difficulty alongside the way in which, lastly fell to Kuldeep Sen (2/65) within the third session, which introduced the pair of Kotian and Tushar Deshpande collectively once more after their heroics within the final match.Coming off a 232-run stand for the tenth wicket within the earlier match, Kotian and Deshpande picked from the place they left off to placed on one other 63-run unbeaten stand for the tenth wicket.With Deshpande (17 not out) becoming a member of him a lot later in his innings, Kotian excelled on this innings like a specialist batter, cracking 10 fours from 109 balls to get to 74 not out.If it weren’t for one more rearguard from their tailenders, who shone within the quarterfinal as effectively, Mumbai wouldn’t have ended the day’s play with a large lead, for many of their key batters reduce a sorry determine.On a cloudy morning with breeze sweeping throughout the sphere right here on the BKC Floor, Sai Kishore’s determination to open the bowling in circumstances conducive to seamers raised a number of eyebrows.However the Tamil Nadu skipper and main wicket-taker this Ranji Trophy solely validated his transfer with relentless strain on the Mumbai batters, delivering an outstanding 17-6-28-4 within the first session, and took a break solely after sending down 22 overs at a stretch.After nightwatchman Mohit Avasthi (2) was stumped, Sai Kishore ended his counterpart Ajinkya Rahane’s 67-ball vigil for a mere 19 (2x4s) by getting him caught on the first slip.Rahane strode out confidently to defend on the entrance foot however solely to have the ball kissing the skin edge and being collected by Baba Indrajith on the first slip.Mumbai’s woes compounded when Iyer, pounded by lack of runs and lack of central contract, was cleaned by Tamil Nadu pacer Warrier for a mere three.However Musheer (55 off 131 balls, 6x4s) continued to take large strides, shouldering the duty of getting runs for his facet from the opposite finish. The 18-year-old additionally made no retorts when Tamil Nadu fielders, each in entrance and behind him, tried to unsettle him.Nonetheless, a lapse in focus noticed Musheer’s innings ending prematurely when his backfoot was caught ‘on line’ on the crease with N Jagadeesan fast in taking off the bails.Temporary scores: Tamil Nadu 146 path Mumbai 353/9 in 100 overs (Musheer Khan 55, Shardul Thakur 109, Tanush Kotian 74*; R Sai Kishore 6/97) by 207 runs.(With inputs from PTI)

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