Ranji Trophy: Mumbai on verge of beating Odisha to qualify for KO

Armaan Jaffer

Century efforts from Sarfaraz Khan and Armaan Jaffer, two young batsmen, put Mumbai on the verge of beating Odisha in their last Ranji Trophy Elite Group D league match to qualify for the knockouts on Day Three in Ahmedabad on Saturday.

Mumbai piled up a massive 532-9 declared before Odisha were struggling on 84-5 at stumps, trailing by 164 runs. The highlight of the day was Mumbai's No.3 batsman Armaan's 125 (15x4, 2x6) and his 277-run fourth wicket partnership with Sarfaraz, who smashed 165 (15x4, 2x6).

Armaan, who managed just 55 in his earlier five first-class games from 2016 to 2018, admitted he was under tremendous pressure: "I can't express in words how big a relief this knock is. I played five first-class games and did nothing. I was doubting myself, but credit goes to coach Amol [Muzumdar] sir, all the selectors and MCA for giving me confidence. Also, Abhishek Nayar and my dad [Kalim] helped me tremendously during rehab for my knee injury in 2020. I was mentally disturbed, but Abhishek helped me overcome that tough phase," Armaan told Sunday mid-day.

Armaan and Sarfaraz resumed on their overnight scores of 77 and 107 respectively. For Armaan, the ton was more special as it was scored in front of his uncle - former Test opener Wasim Jaffer - Odisha's head coach.

"I had a short conversation with him [Wasim] before the match. It was hugely satisfying to do it in front of him. I used to watch him at the Wankhede Stadium and he used to tell me to keep working hard. Now, he is the opposing team's coach so it's a very proud moment for me and my family," Armaan signed off.

Brief scores
Odisha 284 & 84-5 (A Rath 34, A Raut 31'; S Mulani 3-30, S Raut 2-28) v Mumbai 532-9d (S Khan 165, A Jaffer 125; R Mohanty 3-123)