[Watch] Ajinkya Rahane misses out on a well-deserved century, gets caught behind for 97 in Irani Cup 2024

Indian cricketer and Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane fell just short of a well-deserved century, getting caught behind for 97 on Day 2 of the Irani Cup 2024 against the Rest of India (ROI) on Wednesday, October 2. The game is being played at Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

Rahane came in to bat at number four when Mumbai were in trouble as they lost two wickets for just six runs. He forged two crucial partnerships, first adding 102 runs for the fourth wicket with Shreyas Iyer, and then contributing 130 runs for the fifth wicket with Sarfaraz Khan.

The 36-year-old was closing in on a century but was dismissed on the third delivery of the 79th over. Yash Dayal bowled a short delivery that angled across Rahane, who tried to evade it, but the ball brushed his glove and went through to the keeper.

Here’s a video of the wicket:

Rahane scored 97 runs off 234 balls, featuring seven boundaries and one six. His dismissal left Mumbai at 270 for 5 after 78.3 overs.

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Half-centuries from senior batters help Mumbai recover after early blows

The Rest of India won the toss and elected to bowl first after the game was delayed due to a wet outfield. Mukesh Kumar was outstanding for ROI, making an early impact by dismissing Prithvi Shaw for four, thanks to a superb catch by Devdutt Padikkal at second slip. He followed that up by dismissing Hardik Tamore for a three-ball duck in the same over.

Soon after, Ayush Mhatre was out for 19, becoming Mukesh’s third wicket. Shreyas Iyer stood firm for Mumbai, scoring 57 runs off 84 balls with six boundaries and two sixes.

Ajinkya Rahane and Sarfaraz Khan then stitched together a 130-run partnership for the fifth wicket before the former was dismissed for 97. At the time of writing, Mumbai were 304/6 after 87 overs, with Sarfaraz (86) and Tanush Kotian (13) at the crease.