Kaustubh Pawar, Surya Kumar Yadav score hundreds as Mumbai take upper hand in three-day game against New Zealanders

The defending Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai put forth a superb performance on Day 2 of their three-day warm-up game against the visiting New Zealanders, amassing 431 for 5 in 103 overs to take a sizeable lead of 107 runs in their first innings.

The star of the day for them was opener Kaustubh Pawar, who struck an excellent century before retiring hurt as well as 17-year-old right-hander Armaan Jaffer, who made 69, looking comfortable against a world class attack as the duo gave their side the control with a stand of 107 runs, before the latter was dismissed by Ish Sodhi.

Rohit Sharma had an excellent opportunity to get some runs under his belt before the start of the Test series, but could not make the most of it, becoming Sodhi’s second scalp of the day, stumped by BJ Watling for 18.

But Surya Kumar Yadav joined Pawar in the middle and the duo ensured the Blackcaps chased leather on what had become good batting surface, putting on 155 runs for the 4^th wicket, before the former was dismissed for a superb 86-ball 103.

Pawar was joined by skipper Aditya Tare and following the former’s return to the pavilion, combined with Siddesh Lad, who also got on to the act, smashing a 62-ball unbeaten 86 and put on a stand of 137 runs with his captain, who got to his fifty as well.

For the New Zealanders, Neil Wagner proved to be the most economical bowler, conceding just 39 runs in his 14 overs. But what will be a cause of concern will be the performance of the three premier spinners- Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi and Mark Craig-, who were smashed for 263 runs in 58 overs combined, by the Mumbai batsmen.

Day 3 will provide an opportunity for the trio to improve upon those figures, by picking up a few wickets, which would help restrict the lead to within 200 runs.