New Delhi, Nov 3 (UNI) Rajasthan’s Deepak Hooda and Jharkhand’s Anukul Roy emerged as the stars of Ranji Trophy Day 3 today, producing standout performances with bat and ball that dominated proceedings across the country.
At Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Hooda was unstoppable for Rajasthan against Mumbai. Having already scored a ton on the second day, he converted it into a massive double century, finishing unbeaten on 248. His innings, marked by authority and consistency, helped Rajasthan declare at 617/6, with Kartik Sharma complementing him with 139.
Trailing by 363, Mumbai began their second innings positively, with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal racing to a brisk fifty. Musheer Khan remained unbeaten on 32 as Mumbai managed 89 runs by stumps, still staring at a huge deficit.
Meanwhile, Roy wreaked havoc for Jharkhand against Nagaland, picking up ten wickets in a single day. Resuming at 37/0, Nagaland were skittled out for 154 in the first innings, Roy claiming eight wickets. Asked to follow on, they again stumbled, losing two more wickets by stumps, leaving Jharkhand on the verge of an innings victory.
Other notable batting performances included Hanuma Vihari’s unbeaten 121 for Tripura against Bengal. After Tripura slumped to 53/5 in response to Bengal’s 336, Vihari and Vijay Shankar shared a century-plus partnership, lifting the team to respectability. Akash Vasisht scored a vital hundred for Himachal Pradesh against Hyderabad, helping his side claw back and set Hyderabad a target of 344 for victory.
Puducherry’s Ajay Rohera stroked 151 to lead his team to a rare first innings lead over Delhi at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Aman Khan added a quickfire 66, while Jayant Yadav contributed 71 as Puducherry finished with 481, giving them a 187-run lead.
Goa’s Suyash Prabhudessai made a mammoth 149 at the top, and Abhinav Tejrana followed with a 131, helping Goa secure a first innings advantage of 114 over Punjab. Vidarbha’s Yash Rathod scored a century, with Nachiket Bhute hitting a quickfire fifty to put Tamil Nadu under pressure, as Vidarbha finished with 501.
Bowling exploits also dominated the day. In addition to Roy, Karnataka’s Vidhwath Kaverappa picked up four wickets while Vijaykumar Vyshak claimed three to maintain total control over Kerala.
In the Services-Uttarakhand clash at Palam, Arjun Sharma and Vikas Yadav shared all ten wickets in Uttarakhand’s second innings collapse, setting Services a tricky target of 123, of which they had lost half by stumps. Haryana’s bowlers also made crucial breakthroughs against Gujarat, leaving the hosts precariously placed at 113/8 with a slender lead of 37.
It was a day that highlighted the depth and talent of domestic cricket, with Hooda’s towering double ton and Roy’s devastating bowling performance setting the benchmark. Across venues, players rose to the occasion, producing thrilling contests that promise exciting finishes in the days ahead.
