Ranji: Shah, Rohit help Mumbai make strong reply

Hiken Shah smashed an unbeaten 118 while Aditya Tare (80) and Rohit Sharma (79) scored impressive half centuries to propel Mumbai to 360 for three in their first innings in reply to Rajasthan's 478 at stumps on day three of the Ranji Trophy Group A match in Jaipur on Sunday.

Resuming at the overnight score of 76 for no loss, openers Tare and Kaustubh Pawar (53) added 47 runs before the latter became Aniket Choudhary's victim. Pawar stuck eight fours during his 137-ball innings.

Tare added another 37 runs to his overnight score of 43 before being dismissed leg before by pacer Pankaj Singh. Tare smashed 14 boundaries in his 171-ball knock.

Shah and Rohit Sharma then joined hands and took the Mumbai innings forward with a 175-run third-wicket partnership as the visitors went into the tea break comfortably placed at 317 for two.

Rituraj Singh finally broke the dangerous partnership, going through the defences of Rohit just five overs before stumps but not before the batsman crafted his 141-ball innings with 10 fours and two sixes.

Shah, who was batting on 118 off 245 balls with the help of 15 boundaries, is still holding the fort for Mumbai in the company of night watchman Kshemal Waingankar (7).

Pace trio of Pankaj (1/73), Rituraj (1/83) and Aniket (1/68) picked up a wicket each for the hosts.

Mumbai now need 118 runs with seven wickets still in hand to take the crucial first innings lead.

Brief Scores:

Rajasthan 1st innings: 478 all out in 152 overs

Mumbai 1st innings: 360 for three in 118 overs (Hiken Shah 118 not out, Aditya Tare 80, Rohit Sharma 79; Aniket Choudhary 1/68).