Shardul Thakur, currently out of the India team, smashed a counter-attacking century from No.8 for Mumbai vs Jammu & Kashmir in the 2024/25 Ranji Trophy.
Thakur brought up his second first-class century, putting on an unbroken 150-plus stand alongside Tanush Kotian which saved Mumbai the blushes. At one point, the side looked down and out at 91-6, and then 101-7, but the duo put on a gritty partnership, with Kotian bringing up a hard-fought fifty from No.9.
Thakur stands tall after middle order combusts
The collapse came after a brisk opening stand between Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, with Rohit particularly aggressive at the start of the innings. He hit three sixes and two fours in his 35-ball 28, slowing down considerably in the second half of his innings before Yudhvir Singh accounted for him. The bowler also took the wicket of Jaiswal, with Auqib Navi then denting the middle order.
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With half the side gone and barely any lead, Mumbai looked set to concede the game easily, but Thakur put on commendable resistance. Afflicted with cramps as he progressed into his innings, he hit 15 fours on his way to three figures, dropping his bat and raising his arms in celebration, much to the delight of the Mumbai dugout.
