The two batsmen laid the first innings foundation against Saurashtra, giving the home side hope in the Ranji Trophy.
ttmum
Centuries from Jay Bista and Siddhesh Lad in the first innings of the Elite Group A Ranji Trophy match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai offered the home side some solace as they drew against Saurashtra and effectively ruled themselves out of contention for this season's title.
Back to his basics after a slump, Bista returned to form with a cracking century as he went after the opposition bowling after being put into bat by visitors. He nearly scored his ton in the first session as they headed for lunch with the SoBo Supersonics batsman from T20 Mumbai on 95.
"I worked on my technique," explained the bespectacled Bista, who also reached 1000 runs in First Class cricket during the knock a day before his 23rd birthday. "I was trying too hard, I changed my technique during the season but that did not work for me... It was something regarding grip."
He eventually ended up with 127 off just 150 balls, riddled with 21 fours, and led a 174-run partnership for the opening wicket with Vikrant Auti, who had dropped anchor. But from 174 for no loss, Mumbai found themselves in the middle of a mini-collapse at 232/5, their five lost for just 58 runs.
It's here when captain Siddhesh Lad led from the front scoring his second straight century, his 108 taking 146 balls with 16 fours and a maximum. Teaming up with fellow Shivaji Park Lions player Shivam, the duo put on 112 for the sixth wicket before the latter departed for 39 at 344/6 with the innings eventually folding for 394.
Proud to play for Mumbai. Eight ton in Ranji trophy and second of the season. pic.twitter.com/2RiWdouv7M
— Siddhesh lad (@siddhesshlad) December 23, 2018
Saurashtra put up 348 in response -- Dube registering the best figures with 2/34 in 20 overs, supported by Royston Dias' 2/63, Minad Manjrekar's 2/75 and debutant Tanush Kotian with 2/81 -- to give Mumbai a 46-run lead.
Mumbai ran to 238/8 in 48 overs in the second innings to set a target of 285 for Saurashtra on the final day. Shreyas Iyer blazed with a 61-ball 83, helped by 5 fours and 7 sixes, three of which came off successive balls from left-arm spinner Dharmendra Jadeja. Dube in typical fashion heaved 39 in 29 balls with 3 sixes and fours each with the two putting on a 74-run stand in just 56 deliveries and salvaging their side from a shaky 44/3.
Shivam Dube's fan club is on the rise #RanjiTrophy @sportstarweb @THMumbai @sportstarweb pic.twitter.com/K8x4xL59qC
— Amol Karhadkar (@karhacter) December 23, 2018
It led to a tense end to the match that eventually finished in a draw as Saurashtra reached 266/7. Coasting at 192/2, they slumped to 258/7, the five wickets costing just 66 runs as Manjrekar recorded figures of 4/39. Bista was named the Man of the Match for his efforts.
Mumbai drew five of the six matches played in this season's Ranji Trophy, only losing to Gujarat.
Jay Bista image reproduced with the permission of Sumeet M Parmar.
