Abhinav Mukund hit a master class century as Rest of India (ROI) took full control against Mumbai in the Irani Cup. The fourth day's play ensured that ROI take a sizeable lead of 382 runs, thanks to the 227-run partnership between Mukund and Murali Vijay.
Resuming from 117 for no loss, Mukund and Vijay continued to be aggressive throughout the day. Mukund, was particularly severe on the bowlers reaching his seventh first-class hundred when he clipped Dhawal Kulkarni's ball off his pads behind square leg.
Vijay was the first one to fall off Iqbal Abdullah. The Tamil Nadu opener hit 10 boundaries in his knock of 91.
Vijay had a good opportunity to score another hundred but he couldn't put away a log hop from Abdullah and was caught by Khanvilkar at deep midwicket.
Mukund followed Vijay soon back to the pavilion in the very next over when he was caught by Kulkarni off Ramesh Powar, scoring a fantastic 126, which included 10 hits to the fence.
S Badrinath and Manoj Tiwary then went to string another frustrating partnership before Badrinath was trapped leg-before-wicket off the bowling of Abdullah for 34. Tiwary, however hit a patient 80 and holds the fort for ROI.
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.
For Mumbai, Pawar and Abdulla took two wickets apiece.
Sreesanth fined
S Sreesanth was docked 60 per cent of his match fees for his verbal spat with Mumbai pacer Dhawal Kulkarni on the second day of the ongoing Irani Cup match.
Sreesanth, was found guilty under clause 2.8 of Level II offence. Match referee K P Bhaskar held a formal hearing this afternoon before announcing his verdict.
Kulkarni was also charged under clause 1.4 of Level I for instigating and wrongfully accusing the opposition bowler and brining the game to a halt. He, however, was let off after being reprimanded and an official warning.
