Cricket

Rajasthan's bowlers, led by Aniket Choudhary's four-wicket haul, put the visitors in a commanding position against Uttarakhand in their Ranji Trophy Group B encounter. Resuming on 109/2, Uttarakhand lost skipper Ravikumar Samarth early, adding just one run to his overnight score. Aniket dismissed Samarth for 51, while Kukna Ajay Singh bowled Swapnil Singh for 36.Yuvraj Chaudhary and Aditya Tare steadied the innings with a 62-run stand, but Ajay Singh broke the partnership by having Tare stumped. Deepak Chahar and Ajay Singh further dented Uttarakhand's hopes, removing Abhimanyu Singh and Abhay Negi respectively.Yuvraj found an ally in Deepak Dhapola, adding 60 runs for the eighth wicket. However, Aniket struck twice in the same over, dismissing Dhapola and Dikshanshu Negi to leave Uttarakhand reeling at 347/9.Yuvraj remained unbeaten on a valiant 144, hitting 16 fours and six sixes. Aniket and Ajay Singh shared seven wickets between them, with Aniket finishing with figures of 4/79 and Ajay Singh claiming 3/80.Earlier, Rajasthan had declared their first innings on 660/7, with Mahipal Lomror smashing an unbeaten 300 and Kartik Sharma contributing 113. Uttarakhand now trail by a massive 313 runs with just one wicket remaining.

Rajasthan batter Mahipal Lomror has set the Ranji Trophy ablaze with a scintillating triple century against Uttarakhand, propelling his team towards a mammoth total. Lomror's unbeaten 300, studded with 25 fours and 13 sixes, has sent shockwaves through the cricketing fraternity and caught the attention of IPL franchises ahead of the upcoming mega auction.Lomror's innings was a masterclass in batting, showcasing his wide array of shots and ability to dominate the bowling attack. His strike rate of around 83 highlights his aggressive approach, while his ability to rotate the strike and find boundaries at will demonstrates his maturity and game awareness.The 24-year-old left-hander, who had a brief stint with Royal Challengers Bangalore last season, has proven his consistency and ability to stabilize innings. His all-rounder abilities, including his part-time spin bowling, make him a valuable asset for any team looking for a dynamic player who can contribute in multiple facets of the game.Lomror's performance comes at an opportune time, as IPL franchises prepare to reshape their rosters for the 2025 season. The IPL 2025 mega auction, scheduled for November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, will provide teams with a chance to acquire talented players like Lomror, who have showcased their potential in domestic competitions.With his impressive triple century, Lomror has sent a clear message to IPL franchises that he is ready to make a significant impact in the high-stakes T20 league. His ability to anchor the middle order, provide explosive batting, and contribute with his spin bowling makes him a highly sought-after commodity in the upcoming auction.