New Delhi, Oct 25 (UNI) Ajinkya Rahane and Ruturaj Gaikwad showcased their class with commanding centuries as the first day of the Second Round of the Ranji Trophy Elite witnessed high-scoring performances that set strong foundations for Mumbai and Maharashtra in Group D and Group B matches respectively.
In Mumbai, the hosts reached 251 for 5 in 84 overs against Chhattisgarh after electing to bat. Rahane, showing patience and composure, scored a resilient 118 before retiring hurt. His crucial fourth-wicket partnership of 165 runs with Siddhesh Lad, who contributed 80 off 146 balls, steadied the innings after early blows had reduced Mumbai to 38 for 3.
Shams Mulani added 25 to support the top order in rebuilding the innings. Chhattisgarh bowlers Ravi Kiran and Aditya Sarwate were the pick of the attack with two wickets each, while Ajay Jadav Mandal chipped in with one. Mumbai’s lower middle order, including Shardul Thakur, Tushar Deshpande, and Irfan Umair, are yet to bat.
In Chandigarh, Maharashtra posted 313 all out in 85.5 overs against the hosts at the Sector 16 Stadium. Gaikwad led from the front with a well-paced 116, supported by Arshin Kulkarni (50) and Saurabh Nawale (66).
Early wickets fell cheaply, but Gaikwad’s partnerships—most notably a 152-run fifth-wicket stand with Ankit Bawne, ensured Maharashtra posted a competitive total. Jagjit Singh and Abhishek Saini claimed three and five wickets, respectively for Chandigarh, while Vishu Kashyap and Raman Bishnoi accounted for two each.
Other notable performers on the opening day included Hyderabad captain Gahlaut Rahul Singh, who scored a commanding 114 as Hyderabad reached 255 for 1 against Puducherry. Tamil Nadu’s Vimal Khumar impressed with 189, while Pradosh Ranjan Paul added a resilient 156, guiding the team to 399 for 2 against Nagaland.
Punjab’s Harnoor Singh played a superb innings of 126 as Punjab ended the day at 240 for 6 against Kerala. Baroda’s Vishnu Solanki narrowly missed a century with 99, helping his side reach 230 for 6 against Andhra, with captain Atit Sheth contributing a valuable 65.
Among bowlers, Kumar Kartikeya claimed four wickets for Madhya Pradesh, restricting Saurashtra to 258 for 8; Kavuri Saiteja took four for Andhra against Baroda; while Jagjit Singh and Abhishek Saini shared six wickets as Chandigarh bowled out Maharashtra for 313.
Other notable bowling performances included Ravi Kiran and Aditya Sarwate for Chhattisgarh and Ronit More for Nagaland.
Overall, the performances by Rahane and Gaikwad, along with other stars, reinforced their pivotal role in domestic cricket, providing both runs and leadership as their teams look to consolidate positions on the opening day.
