Ajinkya Rahane came up with a century effort—albeit in a domestic first-class fixture—as he faced the biggest crisis of his cricketing life. India’s recent vice-captain ended the opening day of Mumbai’s 2021-22 Ranji Trophy season with 108 not out, contributing to an unbeaten 219-run partnership with No.5 batsman Sarfaraz Khan (121 not out) after rescuing his side from the throes of adversity at 44-3 against defending champions Saurashtra in Ahmedabad.

Mumbai reached 263-3 at stumps on Thursday. In swinging conditions on a bouncy Motera track, the 41-time champion team lost skipper Prithvi Shaw (1), Aakarshit Gomel (8) and debutant Sachin Yadav (19) early.