Ranji Trophy: Centurion Sarfaraz Khan puts Mumbai in control v Odisha

Mumbai’s Sarfaraz Khan

Sarfaraz Khan continued his purple patch, slamming an unbeaten century to put Mumbai in the driver's seat in their Ranji Trophy Elite group D match against Odisha here on Friday.

Sarfaraz smashed 11 fours and a six in his 117-ball 107 not out and he was ably supported by Armaan Jaffer (77 not out) and opener Prithvi Shaw (53 off 64 balls) at the top as Mumbai reached 259-3 after dismissing Odisha for 284 on Day Two. Sarfaraz and Jaffer were at the crease at the draw of stumps with table toppers Mumbai, who need an outright win to stay in contention for the knockouts, just 25 runs behind Odisha's first innings total.

Resuming at 250-6, Odisha could add just 34 runs as the experienced Dhawal Kulkarni (2-42) and in-form Shams Mulani (2-53) picked up two wickets each, while Mohit Avasthi added another one to the two he had taken on Day One. Shaw then gave Mumbai a rollicking start, clobbering six fours and two sixes, as he along with Sachin Yadav (19) shared a 73-run opening stand.

Odisha pacer Mohanty produced a sensational spell to snap up Shaw first and then returned to dismiss Sachin and Rahane (0) as Mumbai suddenly slipped to 76-3 in the 25th over. However, it was a Sarfaraz and Jaffer show after that as the duo kept the Odisha bowlers at bay.

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