Mukund slams century as Rest take firm control

The fury of the elements led to the loss of the crucial final session but Rest of India are still in a position to force a win as they have taken an overall lead of 382 runs.

Manoj Tiwary was going strong on 80 with Wriddhiman Saha (5) giving him company when bad light forced early tea. The post-tea session could not be resumed as heavens opened up and the umpires finally called off the day’s play at 5.00 pm.

Mukund, who resumed the day on 86, got enough time to complete his seventh first-class hundred before falling to Ramesh Powar for 126 (250 b; 10X4) in the morning session.
He moved towards the three figure mark when he clipped Dhawal Kulkarni off his pads to deep square leg boundary.

Murali Vijay, however, missed out on a century as he was the first to depart an over before Mukund for 91 (211 b; 10X4) off Iqbal Abdulla. He was dropped by Vinayak Samant off Dhawal Kulkarni while on 79.

S Badrinath and Manoj Tiwary did not give Mumbai bowlers any respite as they shared a 78-run partnership for the third wicket from 31 overs before the former was out in the post-lunch session.

Ravindra Jadeja (3) could not contribute much but Tiwary was in good nick to swell the Rest of India lead.

A persistent drizzle brought a slightly early end to the first session and it returned later to force the umpires to call for an early tea break. Rest captain and India opener Virender Sehwag was seen padded up to come out in the middle as next batsman.