Abhishek Nayar`s ton helps Mumbai register 3 points in Ranji

Jaipur: Left-handed batsman Abhishek Nayar hit an unbeaten 105 to help Mumbai clinch the first innings lead against Rajasthan and grab three valuable points in their drawn Group `A` Ranji Trophy match here on Monday.

Replying to Rajasthan`s first innings score of 478, the visitors were finally all out at 579 in 190.2 overs when the match was called off at KL Saini Ground here. After registering three points from this outing, Mumbai thus took their tally to six from two matches while host Rajasthan once again settled for one point in their second Ranji match. Resuming at 360 for 3, the visitors lost three quick wickets -- Hiken Shah (140 runs, 310 balls, and 19 boundaries), K Waingankar (25) and Surya Kumar Yadav (11) -- and were a bit shaky at 420 for 6. With two new batsmen at crease and still 58 runs behind, Rajasthan were in for a chance at that point but flamboyant Abhishek had other ideas. He added 70 runs with Ankeet Chouhan (26) to ensure that Mumbai registers the first innings lead and then went on to swell the total with some valuable partnerships with the tail-enders. Nayar remained unbeaten at 105 made off 164 balls and hit eight fours and one six to help Mumbai reach at 579 all out. For the hosts, Aniket Choudhary bowled with zeal to finish with 3 for 111 and Rituraj Singh too was rewarded with 3 for 129. Left arm spinner Gajendra Singh took two for 145 while Pankaj Singh and Ashok Menaria took one wicket each. PTI