Mohammed Azharuddeen
Mohammed Azharuddeen (Credits: Twitter)

Just days before the auction of this year’s India Premier League (IPL), Kerala opener Mohammed Azharuddeen has done his chances of getting his maiden IPL contract a world of good by slamming a whirlwind century against Mumbai in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The right-handed batsman smashed a 37-ball century as Kerala stunned Mumbai by 8 wickets at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday.

After Mumbai gave Kerala a huge target of 197 runs, it looked like a tough contest for the latter. However, Mohammed Azharuddeen was in his elements as he made light work of the task in a knock filled with sixes and fours. Kerala eventually won the game in just 15.5 overs to register their second straight win of the tournament.

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Mohammed Azharuddeen remained unbeaten on 137 off 54 balls. His breathtaking knock was studded with 10 sixes and 9 fours. It was the second fastest century in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy history, with Rishabh Pant’s 32-ball ton in 2018 being the fastest. The Kerala opener fired on all the cylinders right from the start, helping his team race away to 65 runs in the first five overs.

He took just 20 balls for his fifty. By the end of the 12th over, they were 165 for 1 with Azharuddeen already past his century. Robin Uthappa made 33 off 23 in an opening partnership worth 129 runs off just 57 balls. Skipper Sanju Samson scored 22 off 12 balls before departing. Mohammed Azharuddeen and Sachin Baby then took Kerala home. Azharuddeen fitting hit the winning runs when he smashed Siddesh Lad for a six.

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Here is a clip of Mohammed Azharuddeen’s knock: