Mumbai piled up a massive 630/5 declared on Day Two of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group D clash against Pondicherry at Wankhede Stadium, thanks to Siddhesh Lad’s career-best 170 and skipper Shardul Thakur’s fiery three-wicket spell. Pondicherry were reduced to 43/4 in their first innings, trailing by 587 runs.
Thakur, who earlier smashed a quick 56 off 32 balls before retiring hurt, struck twice in his first three balls and finished with 3/17, dismissing Neyan Kangayan (0), Paras Ratnaparkhe (0), and Anand Singh Bais (5) to leave the visitors in a precarious position.
Lad and Anand propel Mumbai on a batting-friendly track
Lad notched his 13th first-class century, his third of the season and second consecutive ton, hitting 170 off 285 balls with 19 fours and four sixes. Partnering with Akash Anand, who remained unbeaten on 107, Lad helped Mumbai dominate the Pondicherry attack on a pitch that offered scoring opportunities. Sarfaraz Khan contributed a solid 67 before falling, while Lad and Anand put together a 110-run partnership for the fifth wicket, keeping the momentum firmly with Mumbai.
Anand praised the pitch and Pondicherry’s bowlers, saying, “There is enough help for everyone, for pacers and even for spinners. If you bat well, you have value for strokes also. It’s a wicket where if you bend your back as a bowler, you have help throughout the day.”
