Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) may have been all set to install the party lights as it were in preparation to celebrate a Ranji Trophy win over Mumbai. And, for good reason. They needed only three wickets, with the hosts reeling at 101-7 at the MCA-BKC ground, on Friday. However, two gutsy Mumbai all-rounders—Shardul Thakur and Tanush Kotian—had other ideas. By the end of the day, they were unbeaten on 113 and 58 respectively in a rescue operation that  would make even the best firefighters proud. Mumbai ended Day 2 with 274-7 in their second innings for an overall lead of 188 runs.

It was a daunting task when Thakur arrived at the crease with the scoreboard reading 91-6 after skipper Ajinkya Rahane had departed for 16. The biggest challenge was to erase the first innings deficit of 86 runs and lead Mumbai’s fightback. Thakur did exactly that, overcoming all odds along with No. 9 batter Kotian.