Munaf burst puts Mumbai in dock

“This innings is very important for me because it has come at a crucial time. I am coming back after five months and there was definitely some pressure to perform. So this is satisfying in a way,” Tiwary said after the day’s play.

Unlike his previous effort against Mumbai in the Ranji final, the ongoing encounter could be a winning stroke for the Bengal lad. Monday’s 130 wasn’t exactly chanceless — Tiwary was dropped when the batsman was on 35 — but he got into the attacking mode as he eventually cracked 12 boundaries and five sixes. In fact, he resumed the third day’s play with a six off left-arm-spinner Iqbal Abdullah to get his feet moving.

“Recently, I have been unlucky to fall to freak dismissals. Today I’m feeling better with the way I played,” Tiwary said. Mumbai now appear to be Tiwary’s lucky opposition in terms of runs and also in the way he’s managed to make optimum use of the opportunity available. His innings on Monday, one that was injected with quality and aggression — all coming off 184 deliveries — is bound to keep the selectors focused. With Rest of India needing 35 more runs for a first innings lead, Tiwary lost his wicket, bowled by Rajesh Verma. The bowler finished with a first class best of 5/97.

On a flat track, Mumbai resumed their second innings on a steady note with openers Ajinkya Rahane (27) and Sahil Kukreja (14) looking to form another decent stand. However, a direct hit at the stumps by Munaf Patel sent Rahane back. Then a quick three-wicket burst reduced the Ranji champions to 98/6.

Mumbai’s top six batsman including Rahane, skipper Amol Muzumdar (4), Prashant Naik (14), Abhishek Nayar (8) and Ramesh Powar (0) failed to face the quality Rest of India attack.

At stumps, Mumbai’s will be hoping to gain from the experience of veterans Wasim Jaffer and Ajit Agarkar who are unbeaten on 21 and seven respectively.

Brief Scores: Day 3: Mumbai: 453 all out & 98 for 6 (Ajinkya Rahane 27, W Jaffer 21 n.o.; Munaf Patel 3 for 19) vs Rest of India: 472 all out (P Patel 172, M Tiwary 130, Munaf Patel 31; R Verma 5 for 92)