Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Rahane, Anand put Mumbai in control on rain-affected Day 2

Ajinkya Rahane continued from where he left off on the opening day and went on to score 159 off 303 deliveries to guide Mumbai to 406 for eight in a rain-affected Ranji Trophy group-stage fixture against Chhattisgarh.

Having retired hurt after scoring a century, Rahane returned to action at the MCA-BKC ground on Sunday, and anchored the innings with Akash Anand (60 batting, 148b, 5×4), after Shams Mulani fell to Ravi Kiran in the opening session.

Rahane started off with a couple of classy boundaries off Sourabh Majumdar to get into the groove. Despite a young Chhattisgarh bowling unit looking to unsettle him, Rahane remained unfazed and dealt in singles. Anand, too, seemed to be in no hurry en route to his fifty.

Featuring in his sixth game for Mumbai, the wicketkeeper-batter Anand played every delivery by its merit and made it a point to discuss a thing or two with Rahane after every over. Those conversations helped as he remained untroubled by the experienced left-arm spinner Aditya Sarwate, who claimed four for 103.

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Having lost substantial overs due to frequent rain interruptions, Mumbai took a cautious approach and added 151 runs to its overnight tally. It was a commendable recovery by the home team after reeling at 38 for three at one point in time, the domestic giant managed to breach the 400-run mark.

Having played a flawless knock, it seemed Rahane would go on to score a double hundred, but a judgment of error meant the seasoned batter was caught behind by Shashank Chandrakar off Sarwate.

However, with captain Shardul Thakur and Anand around, Mumbai did not lose the plot. Shardul hammered four boundaries before falling to Sarvate, but Anand stood firm before heavy downpour halted the day’s proceedings.

With forecasts of heavy rains on Monday as well, Mumbai will have an eye on the sky.

Published on Oct 26, 2025