At Lucknow on the third day of the Irani Cup, it was Abhimanyu Easwaran’s simply fantastic unbeaten 151 that propelled Rest of India (ROI) forward against the massive total of 537 that Mumbai had crafted. ROI eventually led a draw by the close of the day, falling behind Mumbai by 248 runs for four wickets. Easwaran was the pillar behind whom three partnerships went over 50; the pitch remained favourable for batting.
Easwaran’s innings was an excellent reply to the notable 222* scored by Sarfaraz Khan, but Khan only managed to add one run to his overnight score before his partner, Juned Khan was bowled by Mukesh Kumar. For Mukesh this was his fifth of the innings and he follows up a memorable display in Duleep Trophy taking 15 wickets.
Easwaran began his innings positively with Ruturaj Gaikwad for the team, scoring two boundaries off the first two overs. However, Gaikwad was soon seen off, edging a catch to Prithvi Shaw at second slip. Easwaran kept the scoreboard ticking, reaching his half-century with a strong shot just wide of mid-on. For the most part of the session, it was between Sai Sudharsan on the other end who batted irresponsibly against Shams Mulani. He managed two fours in one over. After the lunch, Easwaran returned to target Mulani, launching a six over long-on.
Easwaran and Sudharsan added 87 runs for the opening wicket before the latter was adjudged LBW by Tanush Kotian. In the same over, Devdutt Padikkal was stumped off Mohit Avasthi for 16. Ishan Kishan batted with good attacking intent from the word go. He hit two boundaries straight away. Easwaran slowly worked his way into the 90s to register his century off a streaky edge that flew past the keeper, Hardik Tamore.
Mumbai squandered the crucial run-out opportunity of Kishan shortly after tea when a wayward throw did all the trick. Kishan himself got out two overs later edging a delivery behind while attempting an on-the-up shot, ending a 70-run-partnership with Easwaran.
Dhruv Jurel came in, following up with a very good defense, although two consecutive boundaries off Juned and not a lot else in the way of attacking intent is hardly worth writing home about. Easwaran reached 150 comfortably with a single to long-on in the penultimate over of the day. But to be fair, Jurel finished the day very well, hammering a four and a six in quick time, and the two were thus still unbeaten, having put on 61 runs in partnership, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion in the next day’s play.
