Sachin Tendulkar and Wasim Jaffer (left) during the second day of the Ranji semi-final yesterday. PICS/ATUL Kamble

Jaffer's epic triple and Tendulkar's quick-fire hundred buries Saurashtra

If Wasim Jaffer and Ajinkya Rahane enacted lead roles in Mumbai's Operation Saurashtra on the first day of the Ranji Trophy semi-final on Sunday, Jaffer was yesterday joined by superstar Sachin Tendulkar in the sequel at the M A Chidambaram Stadium.

Naturally, the show turned out to be a blockbuster as Mumbai grossed 637 for six their highest total of the season before a disgruntled Saurashtra bunch headed back to the dressing room, with drooped shoulders.

Playing in the city of Rajnikanth, Tendulkar the Shahenshah of cricket did a Rajni as he set the stadium ablaze right from the moment he took centrestage after Rahane's (85) dismissal an hour into the day's play.

Practice and fun
"I just wanted some outing and get some practice. I managed to do that, it was a lot of fun," Tendulkar said.

Then on, for the next three hours, even though Jaffer u2014after completing his second double ton of the season was marching towards his triple, it was a mono-act play till the master decided to pull the curtains by retiring ill.

Uneasy
"I was feeling a little uneasy. I have been having a bit of headache since day before yesterday," Tendulkar said. "I have been popping Crocins and all that. Probably because of the heat again, it came back. I didn't want to aggravate that, so I had to leave the field."

But the handful of spectators had got more than they had asked for during Tendulkar's 177-minute stay at the wicket. He was at his flamboyant best against an ordinary attack. He cut, drove, stepped out to spinners to send the ball sailing over ropes; he played the slog sweep at his will and even an aerial reverse sweep that raced to the point boundary.

But even when the master walked out after hitting nine boundaries and five sixes during his knock of 122 the interest hadn't reduced a bit as the Chepauk got ready to witness history being created.

Well-paced knock
Jaffer was seven runs shy of becoming only the second batsman after VVS Laxman to register two Ranji triple centuries. And the Mumbai skipper reached there with a single on the off-side with four balls remaining for the tea break.

It was one of the best-paced innings that the stylish opener has played in his career. When Rahane was struggling on the opening day, he took the initiative and kept on finding gaps for twos and boundaries, while during Tendulkar's onslaught Jaffer concentrated on rotating the strike.

But Jaffer had a momentary lapse in concentration four balls later, which resulted in him closing the face of his bat too early and finding Rakesh Dhruve complete a simple caught and bowled opportunity.

Triple treat
The Mumbai skipper admitted that it was hard for him to pick one between his two triple tons, the second coming 13 years after the first in 1997 against the same opponents in Rajkot. "My first triple century came in my second first-class game. I failed in my debut and needed that knock to stabilise my place in the XI," Jaffer said. "This triple was good for the team in the semi-final. I needed a big score. I got my first triple in my first season and my second came in my first season as captain.

"I am looking to bat at least for an hour and put up 700. I am not looking to get an outright win. I am looking at getting the first innings lead. I would like to give my bowlers rest. And if we get the chance, we will bat again."

Despite Jaffer's assurance, don't be surprised if Zaheer Khan and Co start the bowling onslaught right from today's first over.

Sachin Tendulkar and Wasim Jaffer (left) during the second day of the Ranji semi-final yesterday. PICS/ATUL Kamble