Hooda’s Narrow Miss and Jaiswal-Musheer’s Solid Stand Propel Mumbai on Day 3 of Ranji 2025-26.

Deepak Hooda narrowly missed out on his second 250-plus score in First-Class cricket, finishing just two runs short, but played a pivotal role in securing Rajasthan a substantial 363-run advantage over Mumbai in a Ranji Trophy Group D match.

Continuing his impressive form from the previous day, Hooda delivered a seamless performance at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, guiding Rajasthan to a commanding total of 617 for 6. Meanwhile, Mumbai ended the day with an unbroken opening partnership, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Musheer Khan steering the score to 89 without loss.

Under a bright sun and against struggling Mumbai bowlers, Hooda crafted a remarkable innings, scoring 248 off 335 balls with 22 boundaries and 2 sixes. He was well supported by the young Kartik Sharma, who aggressively notched up his second First-Class century with a knock of 139 from 192 balls, including 13 boundaries and 3 sixes. Their resolute partnership added 265 runs for the fifth wicket, despite the efforts of Mumbai captain Shardul Thakur, who frequently rotated his bowlers.

In a touching moment, Hooda dedicated his innings of 248 to his pet dog, Nonu, who had passed away recently due to illness.

Throughout his innings, Hooda ensured Kartik remained calm and focused, especially as the latter approached his century, an approach that paid off when Kartik reached the milestone. Kartik was eventually dismissed for 139, caught by Musheer off Shams Mulani. Unfazed by the setback, Hooda continued to rebuild the innings alongside Kookna Ajay Singh and reached his double century milestone.

Hooda showcased his skill with powerful strokes and consistent run accumulation. However, just short of reaching 250, his innings ended when he was caught behind by Akash Anand off Jaiswal’s delivery—though Hooda seemed displeased with the umpire’s decision.

In Mumbai’s second innings, Jaiswal and Musheer Khan held firm against Rajasthan’s bowling attack, finishing the session unscathed. Jaiswal, maintaining a strike rate of 100, scored yet another fifty, while Musheer adopted a more cautious approach.

Scoreboard:

• Mumbai — 1st innings: 254
• Rajasthan — 1st innings:
  • Abhijeet Tomar lbw b Deshpande 14
  • Sachin Yadav run out 92
  • Mahipal Lomror c Rahane b Deshpande 41
  • Deepak Hooda c Akash b Jaiswal 248
  • Kunal Singh Rathore c Jaiswal b Mulani 31
  • Kartik Sharma c Musheer b Mulani 139
  • Kookna Ajay Singh (not out) 31
  • Extras: (b-14, lb-2, wd-4, nb-1) 21
  • Total (for 6 wkts. in 153.3 overs, declared): 617
  • Fall of wickets: 1-30, 2-124, 3-216, 4-284, 5-549
• Mumbai bowling:
  • Shardul 20-5-65-0
  • Deshpande 22-3-67-2
  • Irfan 21-2-100-0
  • Himanshu 35-3-132-0
  • Mulani 33-2-150-2
  • Musheer 20-3-78-0
  • Jaiswal 2.3-0-9-1
• Mumbai — 2nd innings:
  • Yashavi Jaiswal (batting) 56
  • Musheer Khan (batting) 32
  • Extras: (b-1) 1
  • Total (in 22 overs, no loss): 89
• Rajasthan bowling:
  • Aniket 7-0-32-0
  • Akash 1-0-8-0
  • Ashok 6-1-22-0
  • Kookna 7-0-20-0
  • Chahar 1-0-6-0

Published on November 3, 2025.