Wasim Jaffer completed a highly-successful first-class season with a polished century (101, 141b, 10x4) in the second innings of the Irani Cup match against Rest of India at the Wankhede Stadium here on Sunday.
He also became the highest run-getter in the tournament with 1008 runs [Gundappa Viswanath held the record with 1001].
Rest of India claimed the Cup for the eighth time in a row (26th overall) by virtue of its first-innings lead after the match was called off after the third mandatory over.
Rest declared its second innings at 389 for five almost an hour before lunch and left Mumbai a target of 507 in 63 overs. Rayudu remained undefeated on 156 and Suresh Raina made 71. Jaffer continued his scintillating form against a quality attack, while Rohit Sharma and Abhishek Nayar disappointed again.
Rohit fails again
Rohit failed for the second time in the match, lifting spinner Pragyan Ojha to mid-off for one and Nayar faced 42 balls to make only two.
“We did not have Ajit Agarkar, but I will not blame the youngsters. Rohit and I did not get the runs. It is disappointing that Jaffer did not make the Indian team, but hopefully he will get more opportunities,’’ said Mumbai skipper Nayar.
Rest skipper Harbhajan Singh said taking the first-innings lead is always important in an Irani Cup.
“Had Sachin got support from another batsman with 50 or 60 runs, things could have been different. I was happy with the way I bowled to Sachin and Jaffer, who are good against spin. A match like the Irani Cup provides a platform for those looking to come back into the national team. I have bowled well right through the season. Numbers don’t always tell the work you have done with your bowling.”
Talking about his selection to the Indian team, Harbhajan said he was looking forward to make a difference. “Comebacks are always tough. But as long as you continue to work hard and keep believing in yourself, there is always a chance,” said the off-spinner.
The scores: Rest of India — 1st innings: 526.
Mumbai — 1st innings: 409.
Rest of India — 2nd innings: S. Dhawan c Nayar b Kulkarni 0, M. Vijay c Rohit b Thakur 35, S. Sreesanth (run out) 18, M. Tiwary c Jaffer b Dabholkar 69, A. Rayudu (not out) 156, S. Raina c Rahane b Dabholkar 71, W. Saha (not out) 20, Extras (b-3, lb-2, nb-7, w-8): 20, Total (for five wkts. decl. in 120 overs): 389
Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-60, 3-67, 4-207, 5-352.
Mumbai bowling: Kulkarni 17-6-35-1, Nayar 9-3-28-0, Javed Khan 14-6-33-0, Thakur 12-1-44-1, Chavan 38-4-126-0, Dabholkar 25-1-97-2, Rohit 5-0-21-0
Mumbai — 2nd innings: W. Jaffer (not out) 101, A. Tare c Dhawan b Harbhajan 11, A. Rahane c Vijay b Harbhajan 25, Rohit c Mithun b Ojha 1, A. Nayar c Saha b Raina 2, A. Chavan (not out) 12, Extras (b-4,lb-2, nb-2): 8, Total (for four wkts. in 54 overs):160.
Fall of wickets: 1-36, 2-89, 3-103, 4-123.
Rest of India bowling: Sreesanth 6-2-7-0, Pandey 3-2-8-0, Ojha 12-0-45-1, Harbhajan 16-1-38-2, Mithun 2-0-14-0, Raina 7-1-14-1, Tiwary 4-1-17-0, Rayudu 3-0-10-0, Vijay 1-0-1-0.
