It was the perfect combination of ice and fire as Mumbai openers took to the field against Uttar Pradesh on Day 3 of Ranji Trophy 2022 second semi-final. While Shaw played his natural game and looked for boundaries, Yashasvi Jaiswal went on a blockathon. The opening partnership was finally broken in the 21st over and with it a First-Class record that stood for approximately 134 years.
Shaw scored 64 runs in the 66-run partnership whereas Jaiswal did not open his account. Two of the runs were scored via leg byes. The 96.96 per cent of runs were scored by the Mumbai skipper in the partnership which is the highest percentage in a fifty-plus partnership in First-Class cricket.
The previous record was created in 1888 by Australian pair Percy McDonnell and Alex Bannerman shared an 86-run partnership for Australians vs North. McDonnell scored 82 runs in the partnership which is 95.34 per cent.
On the other hand, this is the second-highest percentage of runs in a fifty-plus partnership for any wicket. R Dalal and RR Kumar shared a 74-run partnership where the former scored all the runs.
Shaw got Mumbai off to a good start. He scored 64 runs from 71 deliveries at a strike rate over 90. The opener hit 12 boundaries in his innings before getting dismissed by Saurabh Kumar.
Jaiswal scored his first run off the 52nd delivery he faced. The left-handed batter also raised his bat towards the dressing room after getting his first single.
At the end of the day, Jaiswal had 35 runs to his name from 114 deliveries. Jaiswal hit five fours and one six in his unbeaten 35. He shared an unbeaten 57-run partnership for the second wicket with Armaan Jaffer. Batting at no.3, Jaffer scored 32 runs from 67 deliveries including five boundaries.
At the end of the day, Mumbai had 133/1 on the board after 42 overs. Also, they have a lead of 346 runs under their belt ahead of Day 4.
Jaiswal has been in good form of late. In the first innings, he helped Mumbai recover from early wickets of Shaw and Jaffer and scored 100 runs from 227 deliveries.