By Admin 
In a team with youthful talents like Ayush Mhatre and Musheer Khan and established players of the ilk of Ajinkya Rahane and Sarfaraz Khan, Siddhesh Lad and Shams Mulani may not always bask in the spotlight. But on day one of the new Ranji Trophy season, Lad and Mulani were Mumbai’s central figures in a splendid recovery against Jammu & Kashmir at the Sher E Kashmir Cricket Stadium.
In verdant surroundings on Wednesday, the 33-year-old Lad scored 116 while Mulani remained unbeaten on 79 as the Shardul Thakur-led side posted 336 for five in 83 overs at the close of play. From 141 for four at one stage, it was a commendable fightback from the domestic heavyweight.
The four batters dismissed by then were Musheer, Mhatre, Rahane and Sarfaraz, putting the onus on Lad and Mulani to forge a 159-run alliance for the fifth wicket.
In the first session, a surface with sufficient grass covering provided assistance for the J&K pacers. While Aaqib Nabi got Musheer caught by wicketkeeper Kanhaiya Wadhawan in the opening over of the day, Yudhvir Singh induced nicks from Mhatre and Rahane in quick succession later on.
Sarfaraz did appear to be in the mood for a big score when he raced to 42 off 48 deliveries in a 67-run stand with Lad. But in the 40th over, he was run out by a direct hit from J&K skipper Paras Dogra despite putting in a full-length dive.
As the pitch settled down in the post-lunch session, Lad and Mulani counter-attacked whenever an opportunity arose. By bringing up his 11th First Class century, Lad built on his excellent run last season. In Mumbai’s semifinal finish in the 2024-25 Ranji campaign, Lad was his team’s highest run-getter with 602 runs.
The No. 4 batter’s dismissal came in the evening session when he stepped out to left-arm spinner Abid Mushtaq. The ball unexpectedly spun past Lad’s bat and had him stumped.
The scores: Mumbai — 1st innings: Musheer Khan c Wadhawan b Nabi 0, Ayush Mhatre c Wadhawan b Yudhvir 28, Ajinkya Rahane c Wadhawan b Yudhvir 27, Siddhesh Lad st. Wadhawan b Mushtaq 116, Sarfaraz Khan (run out) 42, Shams Mulani (batting) 79, Akash Anand (batting) 15; Extras (nb-4, lb-25): 29; Total (for five wkts. in 83 overs): 336.
Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-61, 3-74, 4-141, 5-300.
J & K bowling: Nabi 19-7-43-1, Nazir 18-6-51-0, Yudhvir 16-3-82-2, Mushtaq 17-3-73-1, Lotra 10-1-46-0, Samad 3-1-16-0.
Toss: J&K.