Mumbai cruised to 303 for three on day one of the Ranji Trophy quarter-finals against Uttarakhand at the Alur Cricket Stadium, with Suved Parkar scoring a century on his Mumbai debut and Sarfaraz Khan and Armaan Jafar both hitting half-centuries.
Parkar completed his century by flicking Akash Madhiwal for a four through the square leg in the last session, capping off a stellar start to his first-class career – and that too in a Ranji Trophy knockout game.
Parkar joined the likes of current Mumbai captain Prithvi Shaw and head coach Amol Muzudar in scoring a century on their Mumbai debuts during the Ranji Trophy knockout round.
The scheduled match did not start until 10.45 a.m. due to overnight rain that soaked the outfield. After electing to bat first, Mumbai lost openers Shaw and Yashasvi Jaiswal for 64 in the 15th over, with pacer Deepak Dhampola, Uttarakhand’s only successful bowler, claiming all three Mumbai wickets for 53 in the first over.
Parkar, who came in at No 4, scored 112 for the third wicket in 227 balls with Jaffer to sustain the batting until the latter was beautifully taken at second slip by Swapnil Singh off Dhampola. After surviving a caught and bowled chance from Swapnil, the 21-year-old combined 128 for the fourth wicket in 204 balls with Sarfaraz to put Mumbai in command by stumps.
Parkar, who has performed admirably for all age groups in the past, asserted a claim for a spot in the Mumbai team in April, when he hit 103* in a 194-run partnership with Shams Mulani for the seventh wicket, enabling Mumbai to complete an extraordinary 244-run chase and win for the team Mumbai.
After falling to 50 for six on the last day, the under-25 squad defeated Karnataka in the Col CK Nayudu Trophy quarterfinal.
Parkar batted first for India in the U-19 Asia Cup, which was held in Sri Lanka. He’s the newest ‘product’ of Dinesh Lad, the childhood coach of Rohit Sharma and Shardul Thakur, like many other Mumbai players. Monday was a day of ‘double happiness’ for Lad, thanks to the young Turk.
“Today is my 37th wedding anniversary. This is a lovely anniversary. This is a lovely anniversary gift from him,” Lad told TOI that he was overjoyed.
Ranji Trophy Quarter Finals: Saved Parkar hits century and creates history on his Debut
