Twin Fifties from Yashasvi Jaiswal Keep Mumbai Hopes Alive After Deepak Hooda's Monster 248 Puts Rajasthan in Command

Yashasvi Jaiswal struck his second half-century of the match as Mumbai ended day three at 89 for no loss in their second innings, trailing Rajasthan by 274 runs in a Ranji Trophy Elite Group D clash at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Monday. The India Test opener's resilient batting came after Rajasthan captain Deepak Hooda's monumental 248 off 335 balls powered the hosts to 617/6 declared, securing a massive 363-run first-innings lead that has left the 42-time Ranji champions staring at a potential defeat.

Hooda's Marathon Knock Crushes Mumbai

Deepak Hooda produced one of the finest knocks of the Ranji Trophy season, dismantling Mumbai's bowling attack with a commanding double century that spanned nearly two full days. Resuming on his overnight score of 121 on day three, the 30-year-old all-rounder continued his assault, eventually reaching 248 before falling to an unlikely bowler—Yashasvi Jaiswal's leg-spin.

Hooda's innings was a masterclass in patience and power, featuring 22 boundaries and two sixes as he batted for over seven hours across 335 deliveries. His knock is the second double-hundred of his first-class career, following an unbeaten 293 he scored for Baroda against Punjab back in 2016.

The highlight of Hooda's innings was a massive 265-run partnership with Kartik Sharma (139 off 192 balls), who provided excellent support with a fluent century that included 13 fours and three sixes. Their fifth-wicket stand completely demoralized Mumbai's bowling attack and put Rajasthan in an unassailable position.

Jaiswal's Maiden First-Class Wicket

In a desperate attempt to break the Hooda-Sharma partnership, Mumbai captain Shardul Thakur turned to part-time leg-spinner Yashasvi Jaiswal in the final session. The gamble paid off when Jaiswal, bowling just his third over, dismissed Hooda for 248—claiming his maiden wicket in first-class cricket in his 47th match.

Jaiswal finished with figures of 1/9 from 2.3 overs, with the wicket coming as a special milestone for the 23-year-old left-hander, who had previously taken seven wickets only in List A cricket. Shardul Thakur, meanwhile, endured a frustrating day, failing to pick up a single wicket despite being Mumbai's frontline pacer.

For Mumbai's bowling unit, it was a day to forget. Tushar Deshpande (2/67) and Shams Mulani (2 wickets) were the only bowlers to make any impression, while the rest struggled on a placid Jaipur track that offered little assistance.

Mumbai's Fightback Begins

Trailing by a mammoth 363 runs, Mumbai needed a strong start to their second innings to avoid the follow-on and salvage any hope of a draw. Jaiswal and Musheer Khan provided exactly that, surviving 22 overs without loss to reach 89 at stumps.

Jaiswal, who had scored a half-century in Mumbai's first innings, continued his excellent form with an aggressive 56 not out off 56 balls, including eight boundaries. His strike rate of 100 demonstrated his intent to counter-attack and put pressure back on Rajasthan's bowlers.

Musheer Khan, batting at the other end, played the perfect foil with a more measured 32 not out off 76 deliveries, ensuring Mumbai didn't lose early wickets and providing stability to the innings.

Mumbai's First-Innings Collapse

The damage for Mumbai had been done on day one when they were bundled out for just 254 in their first innings. That below-par total set the tone for the remainder of the match, allowing Rajasthan to dictate terms from the second day onward.

Mumbai's inability to post a competitive first-innings score—particularly against a Rajasthan side that had struggled in previous matches—highlighted their batting fragility and put them on the back foot for the rest of the contest.

Rajasthan's Supporting Cast

While Hooda's double-hundred was the headline act, Rajasthan received crucial contributions from the top order as well. Opener Sachin Yadav narrowly missed out on a century, falling run out for 92—just eight runs short of three figures. His dismissal was a rare blemish in an otherwise dominant batting display from the hosts.

Kartik Sharma's 139 was another crucial knock, as he showcased his ability to capitalize on good starts and convert them into big scores. His fluent strokeplay and ability to rotate the strike complemented Hooda's more aggressive approach perfectly.

The Road Ahead

With 274 runs still needed to make Rajasthan bat again, Mumbai face an uphill battle on day four. While Jaiswal and Musheer have provided a solid foundation, they will need substantial contributions from the middle order—including skipper Shardul Thakur, Ajinkya Rahane (if playing), and Shreyas Iyer (if fit)—to avoid an innings defeat.

Rajasthan, on the other hand, will look to strike early on day four and wrap up the match quickly. With Mumbai's batting lineup under pressure and the pitch showing no signs of deteriorating significantly, the hosts will fancy their chances of securing their first win of the season.

Other Ranji Trophy Action

In Delhi, Puducherry seized control against the hosts after posting 481 in their first innings in response to Delhi's 294. Ajay Rohera led the way with a brilliant 151, supported by half-centuries from Aman Khan (66) and Jayant Yadav (71).

Delhi ended day three at 76 for no loss in their second innings, with Arpita Rana (40) and Sanat Sangwan (24) at the crease, still trailing Puducherry by 111 runs.