Ranji Trophy 2021-22 | Yashasvi Jaiswal's ton headlines Day 1 of semi-final round

The collision course to claim Ranji Trophy 2021-22 honours gets heated up further as Day 1 of the two semi-finals went underway today at Alur and Bengaluru. 

In the first knockout fixture, perennial underachievers Madhya Pradesh aim to seal their first final slot with a match against Bengal. Meanwhile, in Bengaluru, Ranji giants Mumbai, fresh off a 725-run win in the quarter-final, are taking on Uttar Pradesh.

Here is a look at the highlights from both matches after the end of Day 1:

1st semi-final: Madhya Pradesh vs Bengal

Madhya Pradesh captain Aditya Shrivastava won the toss and elected to bat first. However, opening batsman Himanshu Mantri batted throughout the day to score a rebellious 134*. 

Despite losing four wickets for just 97, the Madhya Pradesh batters reached 271-6 off 86 overs before stumps on Day 1.

Bengal bowlers Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep picked up two wickets each on an entertaining day at Alur.

Brief scores:

Madhya Pradesh 271-6 (86)

Himanshu Mantri 134*, Akshat Raghuwanshi 63

Mukesh Kumar 2-45, Akash Deep 2-55

2nd semi-final: Mumbai vs Uttar Pradesh

After losing the toss, in-form Mumbai opening batter and captain Prithvi Shaw was dismissed in the third delivery of the match. However, his partner Yashasvi Jaiswal went on to compile a majestic hundred, thus anchoring his side to a respectable 260-5 at the end of Day 1.

Sarfaraz Khan cracked a rapid 40, while wicketkeeper-batsman Hardik Tamore will resume Day 2 tomorrow at 51*.

Yash Dayal and Karan Sharma shared four of the five wickets to fall on the day among the Uttar Pradesh bowlers.

Brief scores:

Mumbai 260-5 (87)

Yashasvi Jaiswal 100, Hardik Tamore 51*

Yash Dayal 2-35, Karan Sharma 2-39