Ajinkya Rahane starred with a brilliant 159 as Mumbai dominated Chhattisgarh in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group D clash, helping his team reach 406/8 on a rain-affected second day. (Image Credit: X/ @vikramsathaye)
Ajinkya Rahane, the former India captain, dominated an innings of 159 as Mumbai were 406 for eight in their first innings at the end of the rain-hit second day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group D match against Chhattisgarh in Mumbai. Rahane, who retired hurt on the first day on 118 with cramps, resumed to finish his innings off 303 balls, hitting 21 boundaries before Aditya Sarwate (4/103) took him behind.
Mumbai resumed at 251 for five and scored 155 runs in Sunday's 46 overs of bowling at the BKC Ground. Akash Anand contributed a patient 60 off 148 balls, while Tushar Deshpande was four not out at stumps, as Mumbai consolidated against Chhattisgarh.
At the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi took control against Himachal Pradesh. After posting 430 in the first innings, Delhi’s batters contributed with several key fifties, including openers Arpit Rana (64), Sanat Sangwan (79), and No. 3 Yash Dhull (61). Lower-order contributions from Ayush Doseja (75), Sumit Mathur (51), and Anuj Rawat (57 off 66 balls) helped Delhi amass a commanding total. Himachal opener Sidhant Purohit replied with 70, but wickets to Navdeep Saini and Sumit Mathur had the visitors reeling at 165 for three, behind by 265 runs.
At Srinagar, quarterfinalists from last year Jammu & Kashmir asserted themselves against Rajasthan. Rajasthan were bowled out for 152 in their first innings after J&K had scored 282.
Auqib Nabi swept through the Rajasthan top order in the second innings, returning mind-boggling figures of 6-2-5-5 to leave his side in total charge of the match at the Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium.
In Group D, Hyderabad overpowered Puducherry, scoring 435 in the first innings. Rahul Gahlaut contributed a fantastic 114 with half-centuries from Tanmay Agarwal (50), Kodimela Himateja (66), and Rahul Radesh (81). Puducherry achieved 25/1 in response, lagging by 410 runs as Hyderabad established strongly that they would be in control of the game.
With Rahane taking the lead from the front and other teams also producing solid performances, the Ranji Trophy Elite Group D games are still continuing to offer enthralling matches and show India's domestic depth in cricket. Mumbai, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, and Hyderabad have all demonstrated their seriousness about going for vital wins in the tournament.
