‘Didn’t expect debut ton’

Debutant Suved Parkar hit a strokefilled 104 to guide Mumbai to a strong 304 for three on the first day of their Ranji Trophy quarterfinal against Uttarakhand here on MondayArmaan Sarfaraz chip inArmaan Jaffer 60 and Sarfaraz Khan 69 not out also slammed halfcenturies as the 41time Ranji Trophy winners dominated the day and justified skipper Prithvi Shawrsquos decision to bat first Parkar the 21year righthanded batsman struck eight boundaries and two sixes in his 218ball knockOn the day he also joined the likes of his captain Shaw and coach Amol Muzumdar to score a hundred on Ranji debut Along with Jaffer Parkar rallied the Mumbai innings with a 112run thirdwicket stand after his team were in a spot of bother at 642 having lost both skipper Shaw 21 and Yashashvi Jaiswal 35 cheaplyldquoI never expected to score a hundred on my Ranji debut but I had the belief that if I get a chance I will give my 100 per cent and make it count Itrsquos a nice feeling to score a century on debut but I want to score big I will start a new innings tomorrow Tuesday from zero againrdquo Parkar told midday from Alur on MondayParkar who impressed with his footwork then found an able ally in an inform Sarfaraz who was at his aggressive best as the duo compounded the bowling teamrsquos woes by adding 128 runs for the fourth wicketldquoI realised that I need to be more patient in firstclass games There was a phase prior to my halfcentury when I was not getting runs I told myself that I donrsquot need to panic Then I approached the game ball by ball and had a couple of good shots backed myself and got my confidence backAlso Read India players need to change their approach in T20Is Kapil DevCoachrsquos word of adviceldquoAmol sir Muzumdar told me to play with positive intent and just try to carry on from my good performances in the recentlyconcluded U25 CK Nayudu Trophyrdquo he addedParkar was the second highest rungetter in the tournament with 611 runs Parkar also thanked his U25 coach Rajesh Pawar who worked on the mental aspects and on building an inningsAfter the fall of two quick wickets Parkar and Jaffer played with caution in the initial stage But after they got into their groove they upped the anteThe duo played shots on all sides and made the opposition bowlers toil hard Jaffer who hit seven boundaries and two sixes in his 133ball knock lofted legspinner Dikshanshu Negi to complete his fiftyParkar nudged pacer Akash Madhwal for a single to reach his maiden halfcentury Mumbai lost only one wicket in the extended second session of play which started late due to a wet outfieldOnce Jaffer departed Parkar took the onus on himself to score and Sarfaraz ensured that Mumbai did not lose a single wicket in the final session Parkar reached the threefigure mark with a boundary off Madhwal towards he squareleg regionSkipper Shaw departs earlySarfarazrsquos knock was laced with eight boundaries and one six Mumbai lost Shaw 20 early Shaw scored a boundary on the first ballmdasha cover drive off Deepak Dhapola 353mdashand then hammered two more fours in the opening over Shaw who was looking in his elements was however undone by Dhapolarsquos inswinger in the seventh over knocking off the offstump as Mumbai lost its first wicket for 36Jaiswal hits six boundariesJaiswal 35 became Dhapolarsquos second victim and fell just before lunch Jaiswal hammered six boundaries before being caught by Swapnil Singh at second slip Parkar received his Ranji Trophy cap from former India opener WV Raman ldquoHe Raman was in Bangalore so Amol sir requested him to give me my Mumbai cap He Raman told me to keep faith in my abilities and play my natural game Brief scoresMumbai 3043 in 86 overs S Parkar 104 S Khan 69 A Jaffer 60 D Dhapola 353 v UttarakhandWith inputs from PTI