Ranji Trophy: Shreyas Iyer ends century drought, but Gaikwad helps Maharashtra fight back

MUMBAI: Shreyas Iyer ended his three-year century drought at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy in BKC slamming his 14th first-class hundred (142, 190b, 12x4, 4x6), but, leading his team's fabulous fightback by example, Maharashtra captain Ruturaj Gaikwad cracked a strokeful, unbeaten 80 (72b, 12x4, 1x6) to take his team to 142 for one in the second innings on an eventful Day Two of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match here.

Coming in to bat at No 3, Gaikwad, who is likely to lead India A on the tour of Australia soon, put his first innings duck behind in style, adding 141 in 184 balls in an unfinished partnership for the second wicket with opener Sachin Dhas (59 not out, 112 balls, 7x4, 1x6), after Maharashtra, staring at defeat when the last session began, suffered a blow right at the start when opener Siddhesh Veer fell for a two-ball duck to Shardul Thakur. Having come close to taking a hat-trick in the first over of the match on Day One with his twin strikes, the pace-bowling allrounder was again breathing fire when Gaikwad arrived at the crease.

While Dhas was sold while scoring his maiden first-class fifty, Gaikwad was all class, showcasing a series of exquisite drives, pulls and cuts and late cuts to reach his half-century, which came with a single to mid-off off Shams Mulani, and contained eight fours and a huge six. The way the Chennai Super Kings captain dominated the Mumbai bowlers - particularly Mulani who conceded 0-60 in his 10 overs - on Saturday, reflected why the national selectors have some much faith in Gaikwad's special ability.

So determined is Gaekwad to finish the task, which looks quite uphill at the moment, that he didn't even celebrate his fifty-in stark contrast to the warm scenes in the afternoon when Iyer was hugged by Suryakumar Yadav (7, caught at short mid-wicket after miscuing a slog-sweep off Walunj) after the latter reached his 14th first-class hundred, which came off 131 balls.

Even Iyer seemed to be in awe of Gaikwad's glittering strokeplay. "He has been batting phenomenally. He is a great timer of the ball, as we all know," the India batsman quipped, before hoping that Mumbai would make a breakthrough soon on Day Three morning.

"It's just a matter of one wicket. I feel once the ball starts turning, and I hope that from tomorrow onwards it will, because even when we were batting one, the odd ball was turning, and there were a few signs (of turn on the pitch). I hope that we get them all out tomorrow," he said.

In a bit of concern for Mumbai, Iyer left the field for the remaining part of the day after hurting his hand while trying to take a catch that Dhas offered at first slip off Mohit Awashi, while batting on none in the sixth over.

Earlier, after play began at 10am due to overnight rain, 17-year-old opener Ayush Mhatre top-scored for Mumbai with 176 (232b, 22x4, 4x6) as Mumbai's innings finally ended at 441, which left Maharashtra trailing by a massive margin of 315 runs. Mhatre's marathon innings ended when he was caught at short mid-wicket off Walunj. Bowling his heart out, the visitors' left-arm spinner Hitesh Walunj finished with six for 134 after toiling for 36.1 overs.

Praising Mhatre later, Iyer said, "Ayush is a tremendous talent. I feel the energy and the attitude that he has portrayed today in the game, batting for so long and then coming and fielding at silly point and short leg, shows the character of the player. When you see him diving around on the field, you know how much craving he's got from inside to put in his full effort."

Even though they are still ahead in the match by some distance, with Maharashtra trailing by 173 runs, Mumbai's bowlers, particularly their proven quality spinners Mulani and Kotian, would need to pull their socks up to wrap up this match, ideally with a bonus point, which is much needed since they suffered a stunning 84-run defeat in their opening match of the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season.