In a stellar performance, stand-in captain Siddhesh Lad scored an impressive unbeaten century (102 not out, 12 fours), leading Mumbai to a 45-run first innings advantage over Delhi on Day Two of their Elite Group ‘D’ Ranji Trophy clash at the MCA-BKC ground on Friday. Chasing Delhi’s total of 221 all out, Mumbai ended the day at 266-5. Lad, who has been Mumbai’s leading run-scorer this season with 736 runs, showcased a patient batting style for his fifth century.
After the early dismissal of overnight batsman Akhil Herwadkar (12) at 11:11 am, Lad stepped onto the pitch with the score at 44-3 in the 22nd over, remaining resolute until stumps at 4:50 pm, marking a commendable four-and-a-half-hour innings.
Batting at No. 5, he formed a solid 63-run partnership with Musheer Khan (57, 7 fours), followed by an unbeaten sixth-wicket stand of 130 runs with Suved Parkar (53 not out, 4 fours, 2 sixes).
Lad reflected, “The wicket is a bit tricky, aiding seamers, so I knew I had to spend as much time as possible out there. As captain and the player in form, it was crucial to navigate the challenging spells, first against the pace and then the spin.”
With this century, Lad matched the Mumbai record of five first-class centuries in a single season, a feat previously achieved by legends like Sachin Tendulkar during the 1994-95 Ranji season and Rusi Modi in 1944-45. Notably, Mumbai-born Amol Muzumdar also recorded five centuries in 2012-13 while playing for Andhra. The all-time record for the most centuries in a season belongs to VVS Laxman, who hit eight in 1999-2000.
At 33, Lad, with over 5,400 runs in 80 first-class matches, aims to maintain this momentum. “My primary goal is to win the Ranji Trophy for Mumbai. Since returning from playing for Goa last season, the Mumbai Cricket Association has shown great trust in me, and I’m committed to delivering my best,” he stated.
In other news, Test pacer and Mumbai skipper Shardul Thakur, recovering from a calf injury sustained during the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Jaipur last month, is on track to return for the Ranji Trophy quarter-final at the MCA-BKC ground on February 6. He was seen engaging in strength training drills at the venue on Friday.
Brief scores: Delhi 221 all out vs Mumbai 266-5 (S Lad 102*, M Khan 57, S Parkar 53*; D Mehra 2-38, M Grewal 2-59)
