Ranji Trophy | Lad’s timely century gives Mumbai the lead over Delhi

Mumbai's Siddhesh Lad shines with a century, leading the team to a 45-run advantage over Delhi in the Ranji Trophy.

Captain Siddhesh Lad’s record-equalling fifth hundred of the season, backed by solid support from Musheer Khan and Suved Parkar, helped Mumbai secure a first-innings lead against Delhi on the second day of the Ranji Trophy Group-D match at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy ground on Friday.

Riding on Lad’s chanceless century (102 batting, 178b, 12x4) and his partnerships with Musheer (57, 114b, 7x4) and Parkar (53 batting, 111b, 4x4, 2x6), the home team reached 266 for five at stumps. With a 45-run lead already secured, Lad and Parkar, in the middle of an unbroken 130-run stand, will look to press home Mumbai’s advantage when play resumes on Saturday.

The day unfolded in classic First Class fashion. Delhi’s pace trio bowled with discipline and purpose, forcing Mumbai into a largely cautious approach. Scoring opportunities were limited early on, and it was only after the spinners were introduced — often employing defensive fields — that Lad began to cash in.

Lad walked in as early as the third over of the day, after nightwatcher Tushar Deshpande flicked Money Grewal straight to Rahul Chaudhary at square-leg. Lad and Akhil Herwadkar negotiated the new ball safely before the latter fell after getting set. At 44 for three, Musheer joined Lad, and the run rate slowed further before the young all-rounder began to open up against spin.

Musheer looked well set before being adjudged caught behind off debutant spinner Chaudhary, despite the ball appearing to brush his pads. Sarfaraz Khan then briefly shifted the momentum, striking three successive fours — square cut, cover drive and late cut — before chasing a wide delivery from Grewal and edging behind.

Parkar then settled in alongside Lad, and the pair batted with assurance, rotating strike and punishing the loose deliveries. Minutes before stumps, Lad brought up his hundred in fortuitous fashion, scampering through for a second run as an overthrow raced to the boundary. Removing his helmet, Lad acknowledged the applause for his fifth century of the season — a feat no Mumbai batter has achieved in over three decades.