Irani Cup: Murali Vijay's century propels Rest of India to 330 for 5 at stumps

Murali Vijay served notice to the national selectors with a masterful century as Rest of India nullified Mumbai’s decision to bowl fast in the Irani Cup match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday.

File Photo: Murali Vijay

Vijay showed his positive intent early on, clobbering seamer Javed Khan for two boundaries on the off-side as he forged a rollicking century opening stand with Shikhar Dhawan.

Dhawan was cautious to start with but soon found his range to drive Mumbai bowlers to despair.

A wide half-volley from Mumbai captain Abhishek Nayar saw Vijay driving handsomely through the cover region to bring up his fifty.

Soon Dhawan matched Vijay stroke for stroke as the pair kept milking the ones and twos and never missing out on an opportunity to pounce on the loose deliveries.

Just when it looked as if the pair would be in for a real long haul, Shardul Thakur prised him out for 63 at Rest of India’s score on 144.

Vijay prospered in the company of Manoj Tiwary as the Mumbai bowlers ran out of ideas.

The Tamil Nadu right-hander, upper-cut Dhawal Kulkarni for a six and followed it a boundary down the ground to arrive at his century.

The pair were poised to raise their team’s second century stand but Nayar dislodged Tiwary for 37. Four overs later, Nayar showed the pavilion way to Vijay, whose knock of 116 came off 206 balls, punctuated with 17 fours and one six.

Ambati Rayudu and Suresh Raina strung together 78 runs for the fourth wicket before Rohit Sharma got rid of Rayudu for 51. Raina was unbeaten on 36 after Dhawal Kulkarni trapped Wriddhiman Saha lbw for 17 off the last bowl of the day as Rest of India closed day at a healthy 330 for 5.