Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Akhil Herwadkar makes Mumbai return count in dominant day against Pondicherry
Seven years ago, Akhil Herwadkar featured in his last Ranji Trophy fixture for Mumbai. He had a forgettable outing against Gujarat in that game, with scores of 0 and 10. The batter, later, moved to Chhattisgarh for better opportunities.
But on Sunday, as Herwadkar turned up for Mumbai after a long hiatus, he made his homecoming special with a gritty 86 off 188 deliveries to guide Mumbai to 317 for 3 against Pondicherry in a Group D fixture at the Wankhede Stadium. The 31-year-old made the most of two reprieves and brought up his 11th First-class fifty.
Musheer Khan, who continued his fine form with a 102-ball-84, put on a 119-run partnership for the second wicket with Herwadkar, before Siddhesh Lad came up with classy unbeaten 80 (132b, 9×4, 1×6) to put Mumbai in the driver’s seat.
Ranji Trophy Round 5, Day 1 | As it happened
On a surface that had a tinge of green, Pondicherry bowlers didn’t make the most of the conditions as openers Musheer and Ayush Mhatre cashed in on the opponent’s erratic bowling. The pair added 50 runs inside 10 overs, before Mhatre was caught behind off an Abin Mathew delivery.
Despite their prior experience of featuring in club cricket in Mumbai, the Pondicherry players failed to execute their plans, and as the surface eased out, Musheer and Herwadkar flexed their muscles.
Coming off a ton against Himachal Pradesh, Musheer played a flawless knock. Herwadkar, who replaced Ajinkya Rahane, however, was lucky. On 47, Aman Khan had him caught at deep fine-leg by Sabhey Chadha, but the bowler was found to have overstepped.
Mumbai’s Siddhesh Lad (L) celebrates his fifty against Pondicherry.
| Photo Credit:
EMMANUAL YOGINI
Mumbai’s Siddhesh Lad (L) celebrates his fifty against Pondicherry.
| Photo Credit:
EMMANUAL YOGINI
Both looked on course for a century, before Musheer was caught at first slip, trying to cut one off Chadha. As the momentum broke, Herwadkar, too, missed out on a ton, after being trapped leg before by Udeshi.
However, with Lad and Sarfaraz Khan holding firm and adding 80 runs for the fourth wicket, there was no further damage caused.
Scoreboard
Mumbai — 1st innings: Ayush Mhatre c Sidhaant b Mathew 35, Musheer Khan c Ratnaparkhe b Chadha 84, Akhil Herwadkar lbw b Udeshi 86, Siddhesh Lad (batting) 80, Sarfaraz Khan (batting) 29; Extras: (lb-1, nb-2) 3; Total (for 3 wkts. in 84 overs) 317 .
Fall of wickets: 1-54, 2-173, 3-237.
Pondicherry bowling: Mathew 15-2-63-1, Chadha 15-2-65-1, Udeshi 24-3-77-1, Aman 8-1-46-0, Jayant 22-0-65-0.
Toss: Pondicherry
Published on Nov 16, 2025
