Watch: Ajinkya Rahane falls for 97 in a massive heartbreak in Irani Cup 2024

Veteran India and Mumbai batter Ajinkya Rahane missed out on a well-deserved hundred during the Irani Cup clash between Mumbai and the Rest of India at Lucknow. Rahane was dismissed for a well-compiled 97 off 234 balls, which included 7 fours and 1 six.

It was an incredible innings under pressure from Mumbai's captain. He was batting on 86 by the stumps on Day 1 and was aiming to get to his 41st first-class hundred. But a sharp bouncer from Yash Dayal ended Rahane's stay at the crease.

During the third ball of the 79th over of Mumbai's first innings, left-arm seamer Yash Dayal bowled a surprise short ball from over the wicket. Rahane was clearly not expecting the bouncer and was caught in between.

He tried to sway away from the ball but was too late as the ball had already brushed his left glove on the way to the wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel. The on-field umpire initially gave it not out but later reversed the decision after Rest of India captain Ruturaj Gaikwad took the DRS.

Watch: Mukesh Kumar cleans up Shams Mulani with a stunning delivery in Irani Cup 2024

Watch- Yash Dayal dismisses Ajinkya Rahane for 97

Ajinkya Rahane misses out on his 100!

He walks back for 97. A brilliant innings under pressure 👏

A very good review from Ruturaj Gaikwad & Co. as Yash Dayal breaks the 131-run stand 👌#IraniCup | @IDFCFIRSTBank

Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/Er0EHGOZKh pic.twitter.com/gKLlMvwmaz

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) October 2, 2024

It was a big wicket for the Rest of India as Rahane was looking extremely solid at the crease. The 36-year-old was aiming for a big hundred but he was dismissed just short of his century.

However, the Mumbai captain had done a terrific job for his team by playing a memorable innings. Rahane was at his usual best in this innings and relied more on timing and patience. This knock will give him confidence ahead of the upcoming Ranji Trophy season as well.

Mumbai strengthened its position

Meanwhile, Mumbai has reached to a strong position after losing their first three wickets with 37 runs on the board. The top three of the batting line-up Prithvi Shaw, Ayush Mhatre, and wicketkeeper Hardik Tamore were all dismissed for low scores. But Rahane and Shreyas Iyer used all their experience and steadied the innings.

Iyer was more aggressive in his approach but mixed caution in his knock. as well. But he was dismissed soon after his half-century by Yash Dayal. Iyer scored 57 off 84 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes.

Sarfaraz Khan smashes a century

Mumbai is playing with a star-studded line-up in this match and Sarfaraz Khan arrived after the dismissal of Iyer. As he has done all throughout his first-class career, Sarfaraz piled on runs with ease and formed a great partnership with Rahane.

Despite Rahane missing out on a ton, Sarfaraz Khan ensured to reach the three-figures mark and he completed a brilliant hundred on Day 2. It was the 15th first-class hundred of his career. Sarfaraz is still batting and will be aiming for a big first innings score for Mumbai.