Follow UsRahane falls for a duck as Sarfaraz Khan shines yet again
Following a century against Saurashtra in his first outing, Ajinkya Rahane’s fortunes flipped on Thursday as the veteran perished for a three-ball duck against Goa, trapped LBW by the impressive Lakshay Garg who took a fine six-wicket haul as Goa bowled Mumbai out 163.
But while Rahane failed, Sarfaraz Khan continued to pile the runs as the 24-year-old backed up his double-ton against Saurashtra with a fighting 63. Sarfaraz was the only Mumbai batter to cross 50, with no other player managing to score more than 30. It was also back-to-back failures for Prithvi Shaw, who backed up his 1 vs Saurashtra with a 9(13) today, also falling to Lakshay Garg.
Cheteshwar Pujara registers another single-digit score
Pujara began his Ranji campaign with a duck, but impressed in the second innings against Mumbai, striking a fine 91 off just 83 balls that led many to suspect that the 34-year-old was back in nick. However, Pujara failed to back up his showing in Mumbai as he registered his second single-digit score in three innings, falling for 8 runs against Odisha. However, Chirag Jani, who struck a ton, and Sheldon Jackson and Arpit Vasavada, who both struck fifties, ensured that Saurashtra had a dominant first day after opting to bat first.
Yash Dhull endures first failure in first-class cricket; Ishant Sharma goes wicketless
After encountering a dream start to his first-class career against Tamil Nadu, striking twin tons, Yash Dhull endured his first failure at the domestic level as the 19-year-old perished for 5 runs late on the first day against Jharkhand, falling to the left-arm spin of Shahbaz Nadeem. But despite Dhull not lighting up the stage, Delhi enjoyed a fine day after losing the toss, as they managed to bowl Jharkhand out for 251. Ishant Sharma did not pick a wicket, but it was a good day at the office for Navdeep Saini, who managed to claim a three-wicket haul. For Jharkhand, skipper Virat Singh struck a fighting ton and waged a lone battle as his side only managed to bat 70 overs.
Karun Nair smashes first Ranji Trophy ton since 2017
After four long years, Karun Nair finally ended his century drought in the Ranji Trophy as the right-hander smashed an unbeaten 152 on the first day against Jammu and Kashmir to help Karnataka get to stumps on 268-8. After the early wicket of Devdutt Padikkal (8), Nair and Samarth put on a fine 98-run stand, but once Samarth was dismissed for 45, Karnataka started losing wickets at regular intervals. Umran Malik impressed for J&K, claiming two wickets, including that of Karnataka skipper Manish Pandey, but Nair weathered the storm to end the day unbeaten on 152. Nair had last scored a ton in Ranji Trophy way back in 2017 against Vidarbha.
Aparajith and Indrajith smash tons for Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu were in a slight spot of bother after winning the toss, losing both the openers with the score just 59, but a dominant 206-run stand between Baba Aparajith and Baba Indrajith ensured that the Vijay Shankar-led side ended Day 1 strongly, posting 308/4 against Chhattisgarh. Indrajith’s 127 came in no time, off just 141 balls, but he perished in the final session of the day. Skipper Shankar fell for a duck soon after, but Aparajith remained unbeaten on 101 to ensure TN ended Day 1 strongly, with first-round centurion Shahrukh Khan (28*) giving him company at the other end.
Sakibul Gani impresses yet again for Bihar
After creating history last week, becoming the first cricketer to score a first-class triple ton on debut, Bihar’s Sakibul Gani impressed yet again as the 22-year-old remained unbeaten on 98 at the end of the first day against Sikkim, in the plate division. Gani’s 98*, alongside fifties from Bipin Saurabh and Babul Kumar, helped Bihar end the first day strongly on 315/4.
Mandeep Singh’s 130* helps Punjab dominate Day 1
A fine 130* under pressure from the experienced Mandeep Singh put Punjab in a dominant position at the end of the first day, as the Abhishek Sharma-led side piled on 368 runs for the loss of 5 wickets against Haryana. Punjab lost Prabhsimran Singh on the very first ball, and were in a spot of bother at 99/3, but centuries from Mandeep Singh and wicket-keeper Anmol Malhotra took them to 368/5 at the end of the first day.