Cricket

Mizoram's Agni Chopra, son of renowned filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, has continued his stellar performance in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, following his impressive debut in the 2023-24 edition. In a Plate Division match against Arunachal Pradesh, Agni showcased his exceptional batting skills, scoring a double century and a century in the same game.In the first innings, Agni struck a fluent 110 off 138 deliveries, setting the tone for Mizoram's innings. However, it was in the second innings that he truly dominated, hammering a magnificent 238 off 209 balls. His innings was a masterclass in batting, featuring an array of elegant strokes and powerful shots.Agni's double century and century helped Mizoram secure a comprehensive 267-run victory over Arunachal Pradesh, earning him the Player of the Match award. His performance has further cemented his status as one of the most promising young batters in Indian domestic cricket.Earlier in January, Agni became the first batter to score four centuries in his first four first-class games, a remarkable feat that had never been achieved before. He struck 105, 101, 114, 10, 164, 15, 166, and 92 in his first four Ranji games, averaging an astonishing 95.87.Despite his impressive performances, Agni has yet to be picked for the Indian Premier League (IPL). He believes that he should be selected based on his own merit, rather than his father's connections. "I want to be picked for anything based on my pedigree, it shouldn't be because of anything else," he said.Agni's determination and talent suggest that he has a bright future in cricket. His performances in the Ranji Trophy have caught the attention of selectors, and it is only a matter of time before he earns a call-up to the national team.

Cheteshwar Pujara, the seasoned Indian batter, has sent a resounding message to the national selectors with a masterful century for Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy match against Chhattisgarh. The 36-year-old's timely ton serves as a reminder of his enduring class and unwavering determination ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.Pujara's 66th First Class century, a testament to his prolific run-scoring prowess, saw him surpass West Indies legend Brian Lara for the most hundreds in the format. It was also his 25th in Ranji cricket, placing him second among active players.The veteran batter's century came after Chhattisgarh amassed a formidable 578 for 7 (declared) in their first innings. Undeterred, Pujara anchored Saurashtra's response with a composed and elegant knock. His 198-ball innings was adorned with 11 boundaries, showcasing his impeccable timing and shot selection.This century marks Pujara's first in the ongoing Ranji season, following a modest start against Tamil Nadu. However, it comes on the heels of a successful County stint in England, where he amassed 501 runs for Sussex, including two centuries.Pujara's resurgence is particularly timely given India's recent batting struggles in the opening Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru. With the tour Down Under looming, the veteran has thrown his hat in the ring for selection, eager to prove his worth on the biggest stage.Pujara's last Test appearance for India came in the World Test Championship Final against Australia in June 2023. The top-order batter, who has played 103 Tests for his country, boasts an impressive tally of 19 centuries in the traditional format.As the Indian team prepares for the challenges of the Australian tour, Pujara's century serves as a timely reminder of his resilience, experience, and unwavering commitment to the game.

Yash Dhull, the former India U-19 World Cup-winning captain, has faced a significant challenge off the field this year. During a routine medical checkup at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), a hole in his heart was detected. This congenital condition required Dhull to undergo minor heart surgery.Despite the setback, Dhull has shown remarkable resilience. His recent unbeaten century for Delhi in the second-round Ranji Trophy clash against Tamil Nadu marks a "new innings" in his career. This century is his first in First-Class cricket since his recovery."This was a very important innings for me because this is after a surgery. When you come back to playing on such a platform and start a new innings, this (century) is good motivation and a positive sign," Dhull said. "This condition was there from the start. Normally the surgery happens after birth. Mine has happened very late. That we got to know was very important. Because after the age of 35, this would have harmed. Being back on the field makes me very happy."Dhull's recovery is a testament to his determination and the support he has received from his family, friends, and the medical team. He is now focused on regaining his form and contributing to Delhi's success in the Ranji Trophy.Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu pacer Gurjapneet Singh continued his impressive performance in the Ranji Trophy. He backed up his six-wicket haul on debut with another commendable shift, contributing two wickets in 23 disciplined overs."We were just executing our plan of being consistent on a length. All the bowlers did that, which is why our economy rates were good and we curtailed Delhi's scoring," he said.The match between Delhi and Tamil Nadu is poised for an exciting finish, with both teams looking to secure a victory.

Mumbai is on the cusp of victory in its Ranji Trophy Group A tie against arch-rival Maharashtra, thanks to three outstanding innings and two mini collapses. Despite centuries from Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ankeet Bawane, and Sachin Dhas missing the landmark by just two runs, Maharashtra's second innings folded up for 388, conceding a 315-run innings lead.At stumps on Day three at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy ground, Mumbai had wiped out 13 runs of the target of 74. The day belonged to the three Maharashtra batters, despite bursts of brilliance with the ball. Shardul Thakur and Mohit Avasthi employed the short-ball ploy right away, but Gaikwad made his intentions clear, hooking the first ball of the day's play over the deep square-leg's head beyond the boundary.Gaikwad displayed his ability to convert good balls into boundary shots in abundance, impressing with his strokeplay and running between the wickets alongside Dhas. However, Dhas faltered into a pull shot off Mohit Avasthi, and Shardul ran in from deep square-leg to take the catch. Dhas was dismissed on 98, leaving captain Gaikwad to offer him a consolatory hug.Mulani was finally rewarded when Gaikwad edged one that pitched around leg-stump and turned, with Ajinkya Rahane not faltering at slips. Tanush Kotian then wreaked havoc by picking three wickets in eight balls, including a stunning Suryakumar Yadav catch at short midwicket to dismiss Arshin Kulkarni.Bawane, driving at his fluent best, found an ally in Satyajeet Bachhav. Mumbai's ploy of taking the new ball also worked in Maharashtra's favor as the duo batted without any trouble. Minutes after crossing his 24th First Class hundred, Bawane attempted a reverse sweep off Mulani and was bowled. That resulted in a chaotic finish to the innings with Mumbai picking the last four wickets for five runs.

Delhi's Yash Dhull, battling cramps and dirt-stained flannels, fought valiantly on day three of the Ranji Trophy clash against Tamil Nadu. With minutes remaining before the close of play, Dhull launched a six off Tamil Nadu seamer M. Mohammed, notching up his sixth First Class century.Dhull's unbeaten 103 took Delhi to 264 for 8 at stumps, but the home side still faces a daunting deficit of 410 runs against Tamil Nadu's mammoth 674 for six declared. Top-order batter Dhruv Kaushik is unlikely to bat after suffering a blow to his right thumb while fielding, leaving Dhull and Pranshu Vijayran, who is also nursing a side strain, as Delhi's last batting pair.Tamil Nadu's bowlers flexed their muscle on day three, with Gurjapneet Singh, M. Mohammed, and Washington Sundar claiming two wickets apiece. Sonu Yadav and S. Ajith Ram also contributed with one scalp each. The bowlers inflicted most of the damage during the opening session.Despite Gurjapneet's probing lengths, openers Sanat Sangwan and Harsh Tyagi managed to negotiate the first hour of play. However, Washington's off-spin yielded the opening breakthrough, leading to a cluster of wickets as Delhi slumped from 74 for one to 103 for five at the lunch interval.Dhull and Pranav Rajvanshi showed resilience, adding 75 runs for the sixth wicket in a wicketless second session. But in the very first over after tea, Rajvanshi was snaffled by Andre Siddarth at short leg off Washington, leaving Delhi's hopes of a fightback entirely on Dhull's shoulders.

Shreyas Iyer's 2024 has been a rollercoaster ride, filled with both setbacks and triumphs. After being dropped from the Test side and losing his BCCI central contract, Iyer bounced back to lead Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title and win the Ranji Trophy with Mumbai.Iyer's biggest challenge this season was to overcome back issues and regain his fitness. He embarked on a rigorous training regimen, focusing on long-distance running and pushing his body to its limits. The results were evident in his performances, as he scored four half-centuries and a century in his last 11 innings.His century against Maharashtra was particularly significant, as it was his first in first-class cricket in nearly three years. Iyer expressed his delight at the achievement, saying, "Coming back after a very long time, obviously I was feeling a bit down with my injuries, but now getting a century after a very long time, it's a great feeling."Iyer is now eager to make a Test comeback, but he acknowledges that his fitness will be a key factor. He said, "I am absolutely keen for a [Test] comeback but yeah, as we say, control the controllables and my job is to keep performing and keep participating as much as possible and also see with that my body is in best shape."Iyer revealed that he had doubts about his back injury recurring after his surgery last year. However, he has since overcome those fears through intensive training. He said, "There was this phase where I was feeling that it might occur again. But yeah, I trained a lot to see to it that I have optimum fitness and obviously it comes here and there, but now my capacity has improved a lot."Iyer's fitness issues have led to some inaccurate perceptions about his ability to play Test cricket. He said, "See, I had addressed my feeling during the longer format and things didn't go my way. But I've also addressed it in the previous interviews I've given and I'm in a good space right now."Iyer has also had to adjust his approach to the red-ball format, given the defensive fields teams now employ. He said, "Nowadays when the teams come up, they straightaway put a defensive field right from ball one. So I was just trying to take some time, in between trying to play more balls than scoring shots, so that was my plan."Despite the challenges, Iyer remains optimistic about his future. He said, "You win three championships in a year, and what else can you ask for? All I see is the positive things over here and that is winning the trophy and that's what I want."

Washington Sundar's seven-year wait for a First Class century ended in dramatic fashion as he guided Tamil Nadu to a strong position against Delhi in the Ranji Trophy. The 25-year-old's knock of 152 at No. 3 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium showcased his versatility and underlined his potential as a top-order batter.Sundar's prolonged absence from the century club was not due to a lack of form, but rather a reflection of his multiple commitments and batting positions for Tamil Nadu and India. Often relegated to the lower order due to his classification as a spin-bowling all-rounder, he has had to settle for cameos rather than substantial innings.However, his recent performances have demonstrated that he possesses the attributes of a quality top-order batter. In his last Test innings against England in 2021, he was stranded on 96 after coming in at No. 8. His century against Delhi further cements his credentials as a reliable and consistent performer in the classical format."It was a decision by the management, and I'm grateful for the opportunity. I knew it was going to be a good opportunity for me to bat at No. 3," Sundar said after the second day's play.Former India coach Ravi Shastri and ex-Tamil Nadu coach W.V. Raman have both expressed their belief that Sundar can be utilized in the top six in Tests. Sundar himself agrees, stating, "Definitely, I always consider myself to be a top-order batter. Hopefully, I can deliver such knocks very consistently. I have been feeling very confident about how I have been batting in the last few years."Sundar's century is a testament to his hard work and dedication. It also highlights the importance of giving players opportunities to showcase their skills in different roles. With his ability to contribute with both bat and ball, Sundar is a valuable asset to any team and has the potential to become a key player for India in the future.

Rain Interrupts Karnataka's Ranji Trophy Campaign, Frustrating Players and FansKarnataka's Ranji Trophy Elite Group C campaign has been hampered by inclement weather, with the team's match against Kerala at the Alur Grounds delayed by six hours on Friday due to wet spots on the field. This follows a similar experience in their opening match against Madhya Pradesh, where they were forced to settle for a solitary point.The persistent rain and drizzle have left the Alur field in a precarious state, with the wet patches refusing to dry out even under the blazing sun. The umpires were unmoved by two close shouts for leg-before against Kerala opener Rohan Kunnummal, adding to the frustration of the Karnataka players.Kunnummal, who was batting positively, made the most of the conditions, driving superbly in the 'V' and breaching the fence multiple times. His standout shot was a hoick over long-off against left-arm spinner Hardik Raj. Vathsal Govind, in contrast, played a more sedate innings, eschewing expansive stroke-play and focusing on clipping off his pads and steering behind square.At stumps, Kerala had reached 88 for no loss, with Kunnummal batting on 57 and Govind on 31. The match was called off owing to bad light with seven overs remaining.The weather delays have put Karnataka in a difficult position. If Saturday's play is also affected, they could end up with another frustrating draw, which would jeopardize their chances of progressing in the tournament.

Abhimanyu Easwaran's remarkable form continued as he notched up his 27th First-class century, guiding Bengal to a draw against Uttar Pradesh in their Ranji Trophy encounter. Resuming the final day at 78, Easwaran reached his hundred off 140 balls, his fifth in the last nine innings. Bengal declared their second innings at 254/3, setting U.P. a challenging target of 273.Despite a testing pitch and early setbacks, Priyam Garg's gritty century ensured the hosts held on for a draw. Bengal earned three points for their first-innings lead, while Uttar Pradesh settled for one.U.P.'s pacers struggled to generate movement from the pitch, allowing Easwaran and Sudip Chatterjee to extend their opening partnership. Easwaran displayed composure, surviving a close lbw shout before reaching his century. Chatterjee fell for 93, but Easwaran accelerated, scoring at nearly a run-a-ball to stretch Bengal's lead.Bengal declared just before lunch, hoping to force a result. However, U.P.'s resistance proved stubborn. Mukesh Kumar trapped Aryan Juyal lbw early, but Garg took charge, guiding U.P. out of trouble. Despite multiple blows, Garg displayed resilience, fending off Mukesh Kumar's bouncers and keeping the scoreboard ticking.As wickets fell around him, Garg remained U.P.'s stronghold, bringing up his hundred off 142 balls. His battling innings ensured that U.P. finished at 162 for six, forcing Bengal to settle for a draw.