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The Ireland allrounder Andre Botha has announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 35, after an injury-plagued finale to a career in which he represented his country on 141 occasions.Botha’s five-year career coincided with Ireland’s emergence on the global stage. In that time he scored 3606 runs at an average of 27.74, which puts him sixth in the country’s all-time aggregate list.He scored 13 half-centuries and six hundreds, with a highest score of 186 against Scotland in 2007, and he also holds the record partnership for Ireland – 360 for the third wicket with Eoin Morgan against UAE in 2007.Botha also excelled with the ball for Ireland, taking 176 wickets an average of just 21.99, which places him eighth on the country’s all-time list. His best bowling figures of 4 for 19 came against Kenya in an ODI in 2008, but it will be his spell of 2 for 5 in the 2007 World Cup win against Pakistan for which he is best remembered.”I have given this matter serious and long consideration, but ultimately have come to the conclusion that the time is right now,” said Botha. “I can assure you it’s a matter I haven’t taken lightly, but sometimes your body makes up your mind for you.”It’s hard to pick a special memory from my Irish career, as every time I have put on the green jersey has been a personal highlight. I just want to thank some of my very close friends for their support and belief over the years – you know who you are.Ireland coach Phil Simmons led the tributes to Botha saying: “Andre has been an integral part of this Irish team’s success since his debut way back in 2001. He will be sorely missed, not only for his cleverly disguised slower balls or his trademark square cuts, but for his total dedication to the cause and the team.”His courage continuing to represent Ireland with the different injuries he’s endured over the last couple of years has been incredible, and shows just what a big heart he has. On behalf of the Irish team I want to wish Andre all the best for the future, and I hope his invaluable experience will not be lost to Irish cricket.”Former coach Adrian Birrell praised Botha’s role in Irish cricket reaching tenth place in the world rankings saying: ”There comes a time for every player and sadly Andre has decided this is the right time to retire. He has been a colossal player for Ireland in the past decade.”I had the great good fortune that Andre had completed his qualification terms when I arrived and he became one of the major players around whom I built the team during my tenure as National Coach. His all round ability was invaluable and he made many match winning contributions. His ability to take care of the back end of the power plays and the partnership with Kyle McCallan in building pressure in the middle overs was crucial to our success.”I remember vividly his runs securing our future in defeating Denmark in 2002, the great victory winning the ICC Intercontinental Cup against Kenya in 2005 and his record partnership with Eoin Morgan against UAE in 2007 which paved the way for the successful 2007 World Cup campaign, and who can forget his spell in the famous Pakistan victory.”I value Andre as a cricketer and more importantly as a friend. I have no doubt he will continue to make a contribution to Cricket Ireland. Congratulations Andre on a great career – your contribution to Irish Cricket will be remembered and appreciated for a very long time.’In an emotional press release, Botha thanked his wife, Yvonne, his team-mates and the staff at Cricket Ireland for their support throughout his career, and urged all concerned to keep pressing the country’s case for inclusion at the 2015 World Cup, after the ICC’s decision to reduce the number of participants from 14 to 10.”It’s been a great journey,” he said. “We achieved dreams that many thought impossible. To the rest of the players who played with me for Ireland, it’s been fantastic – keep it going. Keep fighting the fight for 2015.”

Former New Zealand captain Martin Crowe has resigned from the New Zealand board’s cricket committee citing conflicts of interest, but said his decision was not linked to NZC’s delay in naming Daniel Vettori’s successor as the team’s captain.”It’s got nothing to do with indecision [on the part of NZC],” Crowe told . “There’s just a few conflicts of interest there and it’s just not the right timing for me.”Crowe joined in December as a non-Board member of the committee that was established to provide advice and make recommendations to the NZC in the aftermath of the 0-4 drubbing in the ODI series in Bangladesh. The committee also includes Shane Bond, Gerard Gillespie and NZC board members Stephen Boock, Chris Moller, Rob Hart and Sir John Hansen.”There seems to be a little bit of bad luck with regards to my best mate Mark Greatbatch last December, and now Ross Taylor who is a great friend,”Crowe said. “I’m just best being on the outer I think.”Greatbatch was replaced by John Wright as New Zealand coach in December. Crowe had previously worked with Greatbatch as a batting advisor for the national side and had also been part of programme in which players chose their own mentors, and worked with Taylor among others in that capacity.NZC is yet to name a successor to Vettori though Taylor, who is the current vice-captain, and former captain Brendon McCullum are believed to be the frontrunners for the post.

Michael Yardy, the England allrounder, has been withdrawn from England’s World Cup squad after suffering from depression. He returned to the UK ahead of England’s quarter-final against Sri Lanka in Colombo on March 26.”Leaving at this stage of a World Cup campaign was a very difficult decision to make but I felt that it was the only sensible option for me and I wanted to be honest about the reason behind that decision,” Yardy said. ” I would like to wish the squad all the very best ahead of the game on Saturday. I would appreciate some privacy over the coming weeks while I spend time with family and close friends ahead of what I hope will be a successful season for Sussex.”Yardy was an integral member of the team that won the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean last May, but has struggled to have the same impact in the 50-over format. He represented England in three games this World Cup, picking up two wickets but proved expensive. With the bat in the lower order, he managed 19 runs in three innings.Hugh Morris, the managing director of England Cricket, said: “I would like to offer my full support to Michael on behalf of everyone involved with the England team and the ECB. Michael has been an integral part of the England set-up in recent years and while he will be missed in the knock out stages of the World Cup, our priority now is to ensure that he returns home to his family and is able to spend time recovering with a strong support network around him. “Yardy also received full support from his team-mates after they were informed of his decision to leave the tournament. “I think players should be open about that because it can be a big problem,” Ravi Bopara said. “It’s not a minor issue, not something you can look upon lightly. It can affect someone quite badly and affect their life so you should be open about it. I’m glad that he’s been open about it. Whether it’s made it easier or not I don’t know. I haven’t suffered from depression, or not yet anyway, so that’s all I can say.”Bopara added that he’d noticed Yardy didn’t quite seem himself around the team in recent days but had no inkling of the seriousness of the situation. “I’ve noticed over the last couple of days that he wasn’t 100% Michael Yardy,” he said. “Usually he’s quite bubbly, quite a busy character, but he wasn’t busy the last couple of days so I did notice something, but I didn’t notice that it was to the extent that he needed to go home.”The decision to withdraw Yardy was taken in consultation with the England squad’s medical team, but he has the full backing of his county. “Sussex are very proud of Michael Yardy and very supportive of his decision,” said Sussex’s professional cricket manager, Mark Robinson, “not only to come home but also to be prepared to go public with the reasons.”He’s always been a person admired for his utmost honesty and integrity, and his courage in dealing with this issue emphasises that. As captain and one of our leading players, we’ll give him all the time and all the support necessary so that he can continue to lead this club forward.”It is not the first time an England player has left a tour early after suffering from a depressive illness. In 2006, Marcus Trescothick broke down ahead of a Test series in India, and suffered a relapse later that same year in Australia. In his subsequent autobiography, he wrote of the “black wings of depression” that would threaten to overwhelm him, and added: “I would not have wished this illness on my worst enemy.”Adil Rashid, the Yorkshire legspinner, has been called up as a replacement for Yardy and will make the long journey from the Caribbean where he is part of the England Lions tour to Colombo. He is due to arrive on Saturday morning with a view to acclimatising in time for the semi-final should England beat Sri Lanka. Rashid last played for England in a one-day international against South Africa, at Centurion, in November 2009.”We have been closely monitoring Adil’s progress over the winter,” Geoff Miller, the national selector, said. “He will have benefited from being part of the Lions tour in the Caribbean and his recent experience in Australia where he played a key role in helping the Redbacks win the Big Bash T20 competition. His inclusion will provide us with a different option in our bowling attack.”

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsAngelo Mathews hit a quick 36 to help Sri Lanka reach 277•AFP

Sri Lanka displayed their bowling strength ahead of the 2011 World Cup when they rested three key bowlers and yet ended up beating West Indies by 26 runs in the third and final one-day international to take the series 2-0.Muttiah Muralitharan, Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekara were missing from their line-up but their back-up bowling unit comprising Dilhara Fernando, Ajantha Mendis and Thisara Perera did extremely well to defend a total of 277 for 9 by bowling West Indies out for 251 in 49 overs.West Indies got off to a bad start, losing openers Chris Gayle and Adrian Barath for ducks before recovering through a 125-run stand between Darren Bravo, who hit an attractive 79 of 91 balls with nine fours and one six, and Ramnaresh Sarwan, who scored 51 off 66 balls.Once the partnership was broken, West Indies struggled to maintain the required run-rate despite contributions of 32 from Dwayne Bravo and 49 from Carlton Baugh. Sri Lanka’s pace-cum-spin attack came back strongly to make frequent inroads into the batting, with Ajantha Mendis eventually wrapping the innings up with a spell of three wickets for nine runs off 10 balls during the batting Powerplay. He finished with figures of 4 for 46.Sri Lanka, invited to bat first on the same pitch where the first two matches were played, reached 277 for 9 in their 50 overs, with all their top-order batsmen getting into form but none going on to make a three-figure score.Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara’s 75 off 105 balls was the top score with Mahela Jayawardene making the second highest score with 44. The pair added 95 for the third wicket off 114 balls, after openers Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan had given them a rollicking start by posting 54 off 50 balls.Dilshan smashed two fours and a six in his 28-ball 30, before edging a catch behind the wicket attempting to cut a ball too close to his body. Tharanga, who scored a century in the second ODI, helped Sangakkara raise the total to 92 before inside-edging a ball from Sulieman Benn onto his stumps with his score on 30.Sangakkara was given a reprieve at 34 when he lofted Nikita Miller to deep midwicket where Barath made a lot of ground but spilled the catch and the ball crossed the boundary. The miss proved to be costly because Sangakkara took the attack to the bowlers and looked good for a century before he played all over a Benn delivery and was bowled.Sri Lanka failed to make much headway in the batting Powerplay, which they took at 177-2 in the 37th over. They lost the two in-form batsmen: Jayawardene for 44 top-edging a pull and Sangakkara.The departure of the top four batsmen at 205 saw the Sri Lanka run-rate slump. The brittle middle order failed to capitalise on the platform laid by the early batsmen as Sri Lanka lost five wickets for 39 runs. Thilana Samaraweera, Chamara Kapugedera and Perera all went cheaply as Benn worked himself towards his best ODI bowling figures, finishing with four wickets for 38.The innings was given late momentum by Angelo Mathews, who slammed a quick 36 not out off 22 balls to help Sri Lanka cross the 275-run mark.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsRashmi Parida helped stretch Rajasthan’s lead•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Rajasthan survived several momentum shifts, with help from Baroda, and Rashmi Parida and Ashok Menaria ensured no further twists with a calculated partnership that left the visitors in control of the Ranji Trophy final. Rajasthan were 11 for 3, then 61 for 4 and could have slipped to 71 for 5, but Baroda dropped Menaria, the former India Under-19 captain, twice in successive overs, and he, along with Parida, made them pay. Menaria’s assault on Bhargav Bhatt signalled the decisive change when he stepped out and lofted him for three sixes in an over. Rajasthan went from 95 to 113, and Baroda wilted thereafter.The Baroda new-ball pair of Murtuja Vahora and Sankalp Vohra had Rajasthan in deep trouble after having defied them earlier in the morning with a 68-run partnership that had taken their team close to the visitors’ 394. Vohra trapped Aakash Chopra plumb with this first delivery, and Vahora had Vineet Saxena and Hrishikesh Kanitkar caught behind with deliveries that zipped away from outside off stump.Despite having conceded the lead, the force was now with Baroda, and they came hard at Parida and Robin Bist who managed to survive till lunch, but only 20 runs had come in 15 overs. Parida capitalised on some wayward lines in Vahora’s first over after lunch, and picked up three boundaries to fine leg and third man. Bist had also settled in before he got one from Bhatt that bounced extra and took the shoulder of the bat to gully where Aditya Waghmode dived full-length to his right, juggled the ball somehow off his wrist and arm, and took it cleanly in the third attempt.Rajasthan were barely 100 runs ahead, and another wicket at this stage would have allowed Baroda to entertain thoughts of starting their chase today. They got the opportunity seven overs later, as Menaria guided a Bhatt delivery straight to Connor Williams at slip. Williams is usually quite safe in that position, but he made a mess of a straightforward chance, going too far to his left initially, and by the time he arrested his movement, the ball had rolled away off his palm. Menaria was trying his best to offer chances, and in the next over, drove Waghmode forcefully to extra cover where Abhijit Karambelkar clanged it. Karambelkar’s horror first-class debut had only got worse, as he added nine harmless overs to his nought and another dropped catch in the first innings.Menaria did not get much of the strike in the next six overs, and that would have helped him recover from the let-offs. Meanwhile, Parida, who has been the most assured of the batsmen on either side, launched into Waghmode, and brought up his half-century with a six over long-on. Things had just started to slip from Baroda’s grasp. The field settings were still aggressive, but Menaria tore into Bhatt – Baroda’s best bowler this season – and scattered away the close-in men.Baroda fell apart after tea as Pinal Shah ran out of ideas, giving even Ambati Rayudu a couple of overs. He could not afford to attack much, and in the mood Menaria was in, even the men on the boundary were helpless. Menaria had shown in the first innings how clean a striker he is, and now he pinged the gaps with as much ease. He drove elegantly through extra cover, and flicked powerfully through midwicket for boundaries. Parida, the veteran, stepped back and let Menaria take charge. Menaria had joined Parida when he was on 30, and overtook the senior batsman by stumps, putting his side on course for their first Ranji title.

Saeed Ajmal, the Pakistan offspinner, is likely to miss the first Test against New Zealand in Hamilton, which starts on Friday, after returning home to attend the funeral of his father.The PCB said necessary arrangements had been made to facilitate Ajmal’s return to Pakistan after his father died on Tuesday. Ajmal played in Pakistan’s tour game against a New Zealand Cricket XI that ended on Tuesday, and did not bowl in the second innings of that game.”He is devastated by the sudden death of his father who expired after being taken to hospital, complaining of fever in the cold weather,” a board official said.Ajmal, who’s played nine of Pakistan’s 17 Tests since he made his debut in July 2009, was expected to be in the XI for the first match of the two-Test series. The only other spin option in the Pakistan squad is left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman.Pakistan have already made one change to their squad since they first announced it, bringing in seamer Sohail Tanvir after he was pronounced fit.The PCB also said it would announce the squad for the one-day series in New Zealand by next week.

Irfan Pathan is not optimistic about making a comeback to the India team; he is confident he will be back. It has been two weeks since he resumed bowling, as he recovers from a stress reaction in his back that kept him out of the Ranji Trophy, and, more importantly, India’s list of 30 probables for the 2011 World Cup. Despite not making the squad, Irfan remains undaunted.”I have that confidence because I have started bowling and I see it [the ball] is doing something,’ Irfan told ESPNcricinfo. “I am working on something that was missing over the last two years. I am pretty sure it is going to make a big difference. If you look at my age, I am just 26. There are lots of years left in my bag.”He is thrilled his brother Yusuf has made the 30-strong squad, saying it was great news for the family that “if one Pathan brother is not there, another one is there”. He described Yusuf’s match-winning innings of 123 in the fourth ODI against New Zealand as “one of the best innings played by any cricketer”.Irfan said he is about 20 or 30 days away from being ready to play a competitive game and is willing to play cricket outside the country if he gets an offer. His goal, however, is to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s domestic one-day tournament that will be held in February, strangely, at the same time as the World Cup. “I want to make sure I make an impact in that,” he said.The injury, he admits, has been particularly frustrating, coming as it does before a World Cup at home. But he accepts injuries are a part of a cricketer’s life and believes he has coped with the situation well. “I knew because of my injury [I would not make the squad]. I need to first sort it [the injury] out. To be fit, and then match-fit. The BCCI knows about my injury. And I knew that if I have not played any matches due to injury, it will be difficult to get into the 30. By the time I play, it will be January-end and the World Cup is in February. I won’t be match-fit, and you have to be playing matches to be picked.”One thing that has kept his spirits up is the support he has received not just from his friends and family, but from the BCCI itself. “They have really looked after me. They sent me to Australia, and done all the check-ups. They have been really helpful. The National Cricket Academy has also been really helpful. Physios and trainers looked after me really well. That means I am still in the frame.”The Baroda Cricket Association has also extended their help to Pathan and he expects to receive his certificate of fitness from the BCCI by the end of next month and his voice conveys a definite sense of excitement and confidence as he talks about planning a couple of bowling sessions with his long-time coach, TA Sekhar to help him nail down his old form once he is fully fit.Irfan, who last played a Test for India in 2008, believes he was losing his height in his delivery stride, and has modified his workout so that he has a more stable core, allowing him to keep his shape better. He disagrees with those who claim he needs to develop more pace, saying he was never an out-and-out quick. His strength has always been his ability to shape the ball and his record proves his effectiveness. “Batsmen are not my relatives, that they have just given me wickets.”At the same time, he is focused on getting his zip back and his pace up to around 132 kph – his normal speed. “People keep quiet once you start performing. I never run away from criticism. It is always going to be there. But I am pretty confident I am going to change all the talk.”He does not believe he has anything to prove anymore but just wants to go back to being a kid who enjoys playing cricket for India, be it Twenty20 games or Test cricket. To do so he has even given up on his favourite indulgence – food – to make sure he isn’t overweight when he starts playing again. “I don’t drink. I don’t smoke. I don’t go to night clubs all the time and enjoy parties. But I love food. I am a foodie. I like going to restaurants with music where I can talk to my friends. But now I am not eating too much. I am eating healthy and I feel light, I feel strong.”

Anil Kumble reacted to his group’s historic and overwhelming win in Sunday’s KSCA election by promising accountability and a lack of bias in the new administration.”Our idea is to make KSCA a model association,” Kumble, the new president, said. “I’ve always walked into the stadium for the last 25 years going past the offices and into the ground. From tomorrow I’ll have to stop walking into the ground.”His former India team-mates, Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad, also won their contests and their election could represent a landmark moment in the governance of state cricket in India – and it evoked fitting emotions among supporters waiting in the Chinnaswamy Stadium complex. Also looking cheerful was Vijay Mallya, the Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL franchise owner, who publicly backed Kumble last week.”We stressed that we are on cricket’s side,” said Javagal Srinath, the new secretary, to applause at a packed press conference. “One of the things we advocated to people is when we have divisions, we belong to neither of the groups. We have support from both sides.”Though the pair, India’s fast-bowling and spin spearheads for much of their careers, didn’t state a detailed plan for Karnataka cricket, there was an emphasis on accountability in administration. “You see captains not just as captains but also as players. If they don’t perform well, you speak of dropping them. As a president, if you’re just the office holder it’s of no use. There will be accountability, and we’ll bring that into our functioning,” Kumble said.”All 24 members will take responsibility,” said Srinath. “It will be absolute delegation.”The elections were preceded by strong campaigning from the candidates and Srinath said the voters – a pool of 1489 members and 229 clubs – had to be convinced that the cricketers would make a difference to the game in the state. “We’ve made them believe that we will definitely make a difference… we will corporatise the functioning.” He also appealed to the concerns more immediate to some of the members of the KSCA. “Enhancement of facilities for our life members is very important, as well as clubhouse upgradation in many ways. This was our storyline that has impressed our votebank.”A belief in the winning candidates’ “vision” for cricket, Srinath said, was what he and his team aimed to instill in the voters. “We had to really explain how the vision came up – a vision that was just not snatched from somewhere and put on the table. The vision came right from the grassroots level, from what we went through, the pluses and minuses and then international cricket. Our exposure through media, [for me] as a match referee – our vision for cricket has come from all walks of life.”The elected officials get a three-year term, one Kumble felt was long enough to warrant a definitive judgment. “Our focus was the team and I’m glad the members chose the team rather than the individuals. Even within the team, they’ve chosen fantastic individuals with varied expertise and their experience will come in handy. Three years, I believe, is a good enough time to measure one’s performance.”

Waqar Younis, the Pakistan coach, has credited his bowlers for preventing South Africa from reaching 300 in the fourth ODI in Dubai, where his batsmen held on to secure another thrilling one-wicket victory off the penultimate ball of the match.South Africa had progressed to 156 for 2 in the 31st over when Graeme Smith was dismissed on 92. Pakistan’s bowlers fought back thereafter and kept the visitors to 274. “It was hell of a game,” Waqar said after his team levelled the series. “We didn’t let them get on top of us. Credit to our bowlers because, at one point of time, they were on course for a 300-plus total.”Pakistan’s batsmen kept up with the asking-rate for most of the chase, and though no one apart from Younis Khan made a half-century, there was no collapse either. “After the third match, we spoke about lots of things,” Waqar said. “The main thing was to play the full quota of 50 overs and today the tailenders ensured that we did, and that’s why we managed to pull that off. The required run-rate never went out of our reach and that was a good thing.”Younis Khan played a wonderful innings. He made sure that the youngsters played well. He guided them and used his experience well.”Zulqarnain Haider and Wahab Riaz were two young players who played crucial cameos in Pakistan’s victory. Zulqarnain remained unbeaten on 19 and hit the winning runs, while Wahab scored 18 off 10 balls in a 28-run ninth-wicket partnership that took Pakistan to the verge of victory.”Wahab Riaz is progressing well, he can bat and he is bowling good yorkers,” Waqar said. “He is young and has a good future. Zulqarnain nudged the ball well and he, along with Wahab, made sure that we play 50 overs and in the end they did a commendable job.”Graeme Smith, who returned from injury for this game, said South Africa had scored enough but that his bowlers could have bowled better. “A total of 270 is really good, considering the fact that Pakistan needed to get it remain in the series. It was tough to bat freely at all times with the ball stopping due to a lot of dew. It was a winning total and, if we had bowled and fielded to our potential, I think we could have won.”Dale Steyn and Wayne Parnell were two bowlers who also returned after injury layoffs and they were expensive. Steyn conceded 79 off 10 overs and Parnell 53 off 8.5. “I don’t want to sit and put the blame on their shoulders. Obviously they will be pretty disappointed in the change room by the way they performed tonight,” Smith said. “They need to push on and get back their form. Steyn is one of our front-line bowlers. It is unfortunate that Tsotsobe picked up a back strain before the match.”The series is level at 2-2 and the sides will meet in the deciding ODI in Dubai on November 8.

Day 1
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Abhinav Mukund struck his ninth first-class ton•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

On a Jaipur pitch that offered no help to the bowlers, the Rest of India batsmen made merry on the opening day of the Irani Cup tie against Mumbai. Abhinav Mukund dominated proceedings with an unbeaten 156 and was supported by half-centuries from opening partner Shikhar Dhawan and S Badrinath. Mumbai, the Ranji Trophy champions, toiled hard but there was also enough indiscipline on offer from their bowlers. Their fielders didn’t help matters by dropping the couple of chances that came their way.Yuvraj Singh called correctly in the morning and had no hesitation to bat on a pitch that seemed to have very little moisture; whatever little there was, evaporated soon under the harsh sun. There was hardly any movement, in the air or off the seam, for Mumbai’s new ball pair of Ajit Agarkar and Dhawal Kulkarni. It was evident in the ease with which Dhawan got going as early as the third over, driving Agarkar twice in three balls for four through the gap between extra cover and mid-off.Mumbai had a golden opportunity to get an early breakthrough in the next over bowled by Kulkarni, when Mukund edged a delivery outside off between second and third slip. Omkar Khanvilkar dived across from third slip, got both hands to the ball but failed to hold on. Mukund was on eight then. He capitalised on that lapse by driving Kulkarni to the extra cover fence in his next over.Dhawan and Mukund shut the door on Mumbai after that, defending the ones pitched on a good length and punishing deliveries bowled full or short. Mumbai missed a third seamer, someone like Aavishkar Salvi who could have hurried the batsmen, as Usman Malvi was steady at best. Spin was introduced in the 14th over in the form of Ramesh Powar, and though the veteran off-spinner flighted the ball tantalisingly, there was neither much turn nor bounce on offer to trouble the batsmen. Moreover, Powar was guilty of overstepping eight times.Jaffer juggled his bowlers around, using as many as eight during the course of the day. Abhishek Nayar got some deliveries to skid a bit off the pitch but he was far too erratic to cause any worries for the batsmen. If Powar could not get anything out of the surface, it was unlikely that Iqbal Abdulla could; he was smashed for three consecutive fours by Dhawan in his third over.Mumbai’s second and last chance came a couple of overs before lunch when Malvi, running in from long leg, failed to latch on to a top-edge from Dhawan at deep square leg off Agarkar, despite diving and getting both hands to it. Rest of India went into lunch at 128 without loss.Dhawan and Mukund unleashed a flurry of boundaries after lunch as Mumbai wilted under the hot Jaipur sun. However, Dhawan – who had looked the more fluent of the duo – tried to hit one too many and struck a Rohit Sharma full toss straight to Abdulla at midwicket to depart for 83.At 167 for 1, Mumbai ran into the broad bat of Badrinath, who hardly looked ruffled throughout his stay, and hit some pleasing drives, and the only six of the day off Powar. Mukund meanwhile reached his ninth first-class hundred with a straight-driven four past Malvi, after being stuck on 99 for 14 deliveries.Mukund’s timing only got better after tea and one shot off Kulkarni pretty much summed up the day. Mukund straight-drove a full delivery and the ball sped past the mid-on fielder before he could even react. It was that kind of day for the Ranji Trophy champions. It sped past them in a blur of runs.