Jaffer-Rahane chemistry at work

Thanks to the duo8217;s dexterity with their willows, the hosts completed Day One by posting 366 after losing the lone wicket of opener Vinayak Mane.

At the start of play, the Hyderabad players might have be unaware of the chemistry between the two Mumbai batsmen, but during the course of a ruthless batting display put on by the duo, the bowlers especially, were left a lot wiser.

Jaffer and Rahane represent the same company, Indian Oil, and they both have been batting together for endless hours in their local matches. Rahane was just 10 when Jaffer started his career in first class cricket, but the way the duo have paired up, it looks as if they have been playing together for ages and though they might have different batting styles, both have the appetite for playing long innings.

8220;I remember my first meeting with Wasim bhai. In fact, he came forward and introduced himself during the Moin-ud-Dowla cricket tournament few years ago. I was stunned, despite being a member of the Indian Test side, he looked so grounded. Since that day I wanted to be like him, a strong batsman and good human being,8221; Rahane revealed after he struck his third century of the season.

Earlier, Jaffer and Rahane had added 218 runs against Gujarat in their second league match at Surat while last season the pair had put together a 342-run partnership against England Lions during the Duleep Trophy tie at Baroda. In the process, the prolific duo had also broken the previous 321-run record for second wicket partnership set between Guru Gupte and Gulam Parkar for Mumbai in 1981.

So what separates Rahane and Jaffer from their other team members. 8220;There is nothing special, but there8217;s definitely a better understanding between us, and I think it has come about as we spend most of our time together,8221; says Mumbai skipper Jaffer.

Rahane adds, 8220;We joke a lot and there is no unnecessary tension of the senior-junior thing with him. Wasim is calm and can explain things so easily that you won8217;t commit that mistake again. You see today also, he just told me that we will be having dinner together.8221;

For Jaffer, a double hundred on a single day has been a wish long fulfilled. Earlier, he had slammed 192 against Delhi in 2005. 8220;When I was out at the crease, I was just thinking of playing as long as possible. But initially while walking out to bat in the morning, the thought of scoring a double hundred had crossed my mind,8221; revealed Jaffer, whose sensational unbeaten knock came in just 268 balls and contained 21 boundaries and two sixes. 8220;It8217;s a treat to watch Jaffer batting, the pressure automatically eases all around. This is his usual style as I have watched him bat like this many a time,8221; says 20-year-old Rahane, who slammed 11 fours and a six in his 236-ball innings.

With the duo going great guns at the crease, Mumbai would be looking at a target that would shut out their rivals from there on.