Day One witnessed Kanitkar’s 329 minutes of defiance while Rajasthan managed to score 309 for 4 at stumps, with Rashmi Parida getting trapped in front in the final over of the day. Spending just under three and half hours at the crease, skipper Kanitkar never shuffled to find his feet in line, playing a responsible knock which his team was expecting of him.

Scoring against Mumbai is nothing new for Kanitkar, and those who have followed the southpaw’s career say he has given his best whenever he’s played against the champion outfit, right from the time when as a star batter for Maharashtra against West Zone-rivals Mumbai before the two-tier Ranji started, Kanitkar has revelled in this challenge.

Thursday was no different as Kanitkar ensured he occupied the crease for long and did not give any opportunities playing aerial shots. Having regularly played against Mumbai’s bowlers in local tournaments Kanitkar was probably atuned to the attack. The 36-year-old peppered his innings with clean drives and trademark back-foot punches. His first fifty came in 123 balls while he completed his hundred in 185 trying to play as long as he can.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Rajasthan had seen their most experienced campaigner Aakash Chopra getting out at the team score of 34. Medium-pacer Murtuza Hussain trapped the former India opener to see Mumbai taking early advantage.

Vineet Saxena, who has been a consistent performer for a while now, like Kanitkar made sure of not giving any chance to Mumbai take command. The pair added a 77 runs-stand for the first wicket in 27 overs with the impressive Saxena scoring 54 off 113 balls and later Kanitkar added another 61 runs with young Ashok Menaria, who looked to take on Mumbai spinners. Parida took charge by using his feet in the final session and his cover drives exposed the lack of experience in the Mumbai line-up.

Mumbai used seven bowlers in the first session but none could stop Kanitkar, who instead took them on a ride by going defensive. “Being an experienced player I knew the team would have high hopes from me. I just wanted to occupy more time at the crease and then try to play my strokes. I have played some of the guys regularly so that also came as help,” Kanitkar said.

Rajasthan is certainly using the formula of forcing Mumbai to spend huge hours fielding under the sun, which worked last time around.