Irani Trophy 2022, Day 1 Review: Sarfaraz Khan, Hanuma Vihari punish Saurashtra following sensational effort from bowlers

The first day of the Irani Cup 2022 saw a one-sided contest between the Rest of India and Saurashtra. Hanuma Vihari's ROI side dominated their oppositions from the get-go and have taken a commanding lead of 107 runs, with Saurashtra needing a miracle to get a favourable result in the game.

Vihari called it right at the toss and put in Jaydev Unadkat's side to bat first in the game. The decision proved to be a masterstroke from the ROI skipper as Mukesh Kumar ripped through the Saurashtra top order with an exceptional opening spell of seam bowling. The impressive quick ended with impeccable figures of 4/23 in his ten overs.

Mukesh received valiant support from the other pacers, Kuldeep Sen and Umran Malik, who shined in the IPL earlier this year, as the duo scalped three wickets each in a fiery spell of fast bowling. Unadkat's side never recovered from the early blows and were bundled out for a paltry 98 runs in under 25 overs. Dharmendarsinh Jadeja top scored for the side with 28 runs to his name.

Sarfaraz's ton takes Rest of India to a commanding position on day one of the Irani Cup

The rest of India were under severe pressure in their reply as a menacing Unadkar reduced the team to 18/3. That is when the inform Sarfaraz Khan put his hand up for the team along with skipper Hanuma Vihari. The duo has registered an unbeaten partnership of 187 runs, dragging ROI from deep waters.

Sarfaraz registered a majestic ton during the mammoth partnership, and his unbeaten of 125 runs off just 126 deliveries. Meanwhile, his senior partner Vihar has dropped anchor with a typically combative 62 off 145 deliveries. Unadkat and the young Chetan Sakariya threatened with the ball in the opening spell, but Sarfaraz's belligerence shell shocked the Saurashtra bowlers, who were mere spectators for the rest of the innings.

The game is firmly in the grasp of the ROI team, and barring an unlikely comeback, Vihari's side are the favourites to come out of the fixture with flying colors after a dominating first day.