Kaustubh, Surya slam centuries

Mumbai were 431 for five in reply to New Zealand’s 324 for seven declared. Armaan Jaffer was in full cry as he resumed at 23 not out on Saturday. 

Opener Kaustubh played second fiddle to Armaan who hit nine fours and a six in his 69 before he was dismissed by leg-spinner Ish Sodhi. Kaustubh and Armaan had put on 107 in 39.2 overs for the second wicket. 

Sodhi got Rohit Sharma’s wicket too when the Indian batsman played recklessly against the leg-spinner and missed the line to be stumped by Watling for 18 which included a six and a four. 

That brought Suryakumar Yadav to the crease and the Mumbai middle-order bat punished the Kiwi bowlers right from the word go. Surya hit eight sixes and nine fours and overtook Kaustubh when in his 70s. He then raced to his century off 86 balls before he fell to left-arm spinner Santner. 

The fourth-wicket stand between Surya and Kaustubh yielded 155 runs in 27.2 overs. Soon Kaustubh also reached his century off 223 balls with 15 fours and a six, the opener showing more maturity and purpose with the bat in his innings. Lad stroked his way to 86 not out in the last session. 

Brief scores: New Zealand 324-7 decl; Mumbai 431-5 (S Yadav 101, K Pawar 104, Armaan Jaffer 69, S Lad 86 n.o.)