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Vijay, Raina centuries lift Rest of India to huge score

February 07, 2013 14:20 IST

Murali Vijay and Suresh Raina hit fluent centuries to help Rest of India post a huge first innings total against Mumbai on day two of the Irani Trophy match in Mumbai, on Thursday.

Vijay hit 116 and Raina smashed 134 to help Rest of India post a mammoth 526 in 130.1 overs at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai before they were bowled out shortly after lunch on the second day.

Rest seemed in a bit of wobble after they were reduced to 330 for five on day one before Raina's century helped them cross the 500-run mark. The left-hander added 153 runs for the seventh wicket with Abhimanyu Mithun, who made 51, to frustrate the hosts.

Suresh RainaRest of India's tailenders were dismissed quickly as they lost their last four wickets for the addition of just 21 runs.

Raina's wonderful century, during which he started cautiously before cutting loose, will help boost his case for a recall to the Indian Test side for the upcoming Test series against Australia.

Meanwhile, Vijay also ensured that he would retain his place in the Test team with his second successive century in the Irani Trophy. He gave Rest a wonderful start, putting on 144 runs for the opening wicket with Shikhar Dhawan, who looked good for a big knock before he was bowled by pacer Shardul Thakur for 63.

Ambati Rayudu (51) and Manoj Tiwary (37) got off to starts but failed to capitalise and fell to loose shots. Tiwary shuffled across the stumps and tried to play across the line before was trapped leg before wicket by Mumbai captain Abhishek Nayar.

Rayudu gifted his wicket away as he steered part-time spinner Rohit Sharma straight to Wasim Jaffer at first slip.

For Mumbai, left-arm spinner Ankeet Chavan emerged as the most successful bowler as he claimed three for 56 in 10.1 overs, while Nayar claimed two for 70.

Rediff Sports Desk