Cricket

Tamil Nadu's Ranji Trophy campaign commenced with a resounding innings and 70-run victory over Saurashtra, a formidable force in domestic cricket. The triumph was orchestrated by the brilliance of left-arm seamer Gurjapneet Singh, who claimed a six-wicket haul in Saurashtra's second innings, dismissing them for a paltry 94 runs.Gurjapneet's devastating spell proved too much for Saurashtra's renowned batting lineup, including veterans Cheteshwar Pujara and Sheldon Jackson. His remarkable figures of 14-5-22-6 included the crucial wickets of Chirag Jani, Arpit Vasavada, and Prerak Mankad.The foundation for Tamil Nadu's victory was laid in the first innings, where their bowlers restricted Saurashtra to 203. In response, Tamil Nadu's batsmen asserted their dominance, with Narayan Jagadeesan leading the charge with a century. Sai Sudharsan contributed a solid 82, while Pradosh Ranjan Paul chipped in with 49, helping Tamil Nadu post an imposing 367 on the board.When Saurashtra came out to bat again, they faced immense pressure. Gurjapneet struck early, removing Cheteshwar Pujara for a six-ball duck. Despite efforts to recover the pitch after heavy rainfall, the conditions favored Tamil Nadu's seamers, and Gurjapneet exploited them to the fullest.Saurashtra's batting collapse handed Tamil Nadu a massive innings victory, securing all seven points from the game. The win marks an ideal start for the team as they set their sights on their next match against Delhi on October 18.

Bengal opener Abhimanyu Easwaran, on the cusp of a significant milestone in his cricketing career, expressed gratitude and determination as he prepared to play his 100th First Class match.Easwaran, who has been a consistent performer for Bengal, reflected on his 11-year journey in the sport. He acknowledged the support of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) for providing him with the platform to showcase his talent."It's a long journey," Easwaran said. "I thanked the association in my acceptance speech. The CAB gave me a chance to play First Class cricket. It feels good that I am playing my 100th match."The 29-year-old batsman, who has come close to earning the India cap on multiple occasions, has scored four centuries in the 2024-25 season. Despite his impressive performances, Easwaran remains focused on his primary goal of piling on runs."It will happen when it has to happen," he said. "You keep on doing your job. I am only thinking about the Bihar match. We got a good start to the season. My focus is only on the Ranji Trophy."Easwaran has accumulated 7638 runs in 99 matches at an average of 49.92 before the match against Bihar. His consistent performances have earned him recognition as one of the most promising batsmen in the country.However, the Bengal opener remains grounded and continues to work hard to improve his game. He believes that his journey has been filled with valuable lessons and experiences."It makes me feel special," Easwaran said. "It was not my dream to play 100 matches. My aim was to play for India. It's still the same dream. It was good to enjoy the journey. I have learnt a lot. I have made a lot of friends. I have a lot of memories."As Easwaran prepares to step onto the field for his 100th First Class match, he carries with him the hopes and aspirations of his team and the Bengal cricket fraternity. His determination and unwavering focus on his goals make him a role model for aspiring cricketers across the country.

Mumbai's dominance continued on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy clash against arch-rivals Maharashtra at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy in Bandra-Kurla Complex. The defending champions, led by a clinical bowling performance and a stellar century from Ayush Mhatre, took a firm grip on the contest.The Mumbai bowlers, led by Shardul Thakur, Mohit Avasthi, and Royston Dias, wreaked havoc on the Maharashtra batting lineup. Thakur's early dismissal of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sachin Dhas set the tone for the day, while Avasthi's three-wicket haul, including the crucial scalp of Ankeet Bawane, further dented Maharashtra's hopes. Shams Mulani wrapped up the innings with a quickfire three-wicket burst, dismissing Hitesh Walunj, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, and Pradeep Dadhe in quick succession.Maharashtra's meager total of 126 was chased down with ease by Mumbai. Prithvi Shaw and Hardik Tamore fell cheaply, but Mhatre, the 19-year-old opener, played a magnificent innings to guide his team to victory. He scored an unbeaten 127, hitting 17 fours and 3 sixes, and shared crucial partnerships with Ajinkya Rahane (99) and Shreyas Iyer (45*).Mhatre's century was a testament to his talent and composure. He played with maturity beyond his years, driving the Maharashtra bowlers with panache and punishing any loose deliveries. His innings was a major factor in Mumbai's dominant performance on the opening day.With a lead of 94 runs, Mumbai is in a commanding position heading into the second day. Maharashtra will need to produce a much-improved performance with the bat to stay in contention.

B. Sai Sudharsan's maiden double century in First-Class cricket propelled Tamil Nadu to a dominant start against Delhi in the Ranji Trophy clash at Arun Jaitley Stadium. The 23-year-old opener's unbeaten 202 formed the cornerstone of Tamil Nadu's imposing 379 for one at stumps on day one.Sudharsan's knock was a testament to his exceptional talent and composure. Despite a couple of close calls, he remained unfazed, showcasing his ability to handle pressure with ease. His innings was a blend of aggression and patience, as he punished loose deliveries while respecting the good ones.The opening partnership between Sudharsan and N. Jagadeesan (65) laid the foundation for Tamil Nadu's strong position. The duo put on 168 runs before Jagadeesan was dismissed by Navdeep Saini. Washington Sundar, playing his first Ranji game of the season, then joined Sudharsan and stitched together a second-wicket stand of 211 runs. Sundar remained unbeaten on 96 at the close of play.Delhi's bowling attack lacked penetration, with only Saini managing to break through. The absence of a frontline pacer was evident, as Pranshu Vijayran was forced off the field due to an ankle sprain.Tamil Nadu will be looking to build on their strong start and put themselves in a commanding position on day two. Sudharsan and Sundar will be key to their hopes, as they aim to extend their partnership and pile on the runs.

Bengal will face Bihar in a Ranji Trophy Group-C match at the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) Academy ground in Kolkata, starting Friday. The hosts will be keen to secure full points after a positive start against Uttar Pradesh in their opening match.Despite the absence of pacer Akash Deep due to national duty, Bengal managed a narrow 19-run lead and picked up three crucial points in Lucknow. The team's intent was a big takeaway from the match, and they will look to build on that momentum.Although the Eden Gardens is unavailable for Bengal's next two outings, the Anustup Majumdar-led side will try to make the most of the home conditions at the CAB Academy ground. Centurion openers Sudip Chatterjee and Abhimanyu Easwaran, along with Sudip Gharami, provided assurance with their performances in the previous match.Experienced hands Majumdar, Writtick Chatterjee, and wicketkeeper-batter Abishek Porel will be eager to contribute with the bat. Wriddhiman Saha is doubtful due to a stiff back.Mukesh Kumar, who captured six wickets in the opening match, led the way for Bengal's pace attack. Mohammed Kaif provided good support, but Mukesh will take rest to manage his workload.Shahbaz Ahmed, who scored 44 runs and took five wickets in the previous match, underlined his worth with both bat and ball and might play a key role again.Bihar, on the other hand, began its Ranji campaign on a disastrous note, suffering an innings defeat against Haryana. The only positive for them was the success of their spin duo, leg-break bowler Himanshu Singh (four wickets) and left-arm spinner Sachin Kumar (three wickets).While Bihar will face an uphill task, the hosts, keeping in mind Thursday's shower, will try to wrap up the match quickly. "There is a bit of uncertainty due to the rain. But we will give our best," said Bengal coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla.

The Maharashtra Derby, a storied rivalry in Indian domestic cricket, is set to be reignited at a new venue - the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy ground - in the heart of a business hub. Mumbai, the defending Ranji Trophy champions, will face off against Maharashtra in a crucial match that could shape their title defense.Mumbai, playing its first game of the season, has received a boost with the return of India's T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav. Yadav, who last played a Ranji match at the same venue two years ago, will be eager to make an impact and help his team get its title defense on track.Maharashtra, under the new coach-captain combination of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sulakshan Kulkarni, will also be looking to make a statement after conceding the innings lead to Jammu and Kashmir in their previous match. Reading the pitch and getting its combination right will be key for Maharashtra.The Maharashtra Derby has a rich history, having been staged at various venues across the state over its 64 previous Ranji Trophy meetings. The rivalry between the two teams is intense, with both sides boasting a strong fan base.In recent years, Mumbai has held the upper hand, winning the last two encounters. However, Maharashtra will be determined to break that streak and reclaim the bragging rights.The match is expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams possessing a wealth of talent. Mumbai will rely on the experience of Ajinkya Rahane and the explosive batting of Suryakumar Yadav. Maharashtra, on the other hand, will look to its captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and the all-round abilities of Shardul Thakur to guide them to victory.The outcome of the match could have a significant impact on the Ranji Trophy standings. A win for Mumbai would give them a strong start to their title defense, while a victory for Maharashtra would boost their confidence and put them in contention for a playoff spot.

Abhimanyu Easwaran, Bengal's prolific opening batsman, continues to impress with his consistent performances, raising questions about his absence from the Indian national team. In the recent Ranji Trophy match against Uttar Pradesh, Easwaran hammered a century (127), his fourth in the last nine innings. This followed his two centuries in the Duleep Trophy and a superb 191 in the Irani Cup against Mumbai.Easwaran's impressive run of form has seen him score 7,638 runs in 99 first-class matches at an average of 49.92, including 27 centuries. Despite his stellar performances, he has yet to receive a call-up to the national team.In an interview with TOI, Easwaran expressed his desire to make a fresh start this season after an injury-hit campaign last year. He praised the sporting pitch at Ekana Stadium, where he scored two centuries in the last 15 days.Easwaran also discussed his aggressive approach in the second innings against Uttar Pradesh, which he attributed to the need to put up a decent score. He highlighted the importance of being proactive on challenging wickets.Reflecting on his cricketing journey, Easwaran credited his father's passion for the game as his inspiration. He also acknowledged the valuable lessons he learned during his time with India A, where he played alongside international cricketers.Easwaran emphasized that his focus remains on performing for his team and that the decision of whether or not to call him up to the national team rests with the selectors. He expressed his gratitude for being part of the Indian team environment during the 2021 England tour, where he gained valuable insights from senior cricketers.

Karnataka's Ranji Trophy hopes have received a significant boost with the return of experienced leg-spinning all-rounder Shreyas Gopal. After a brief stint with Kerala in the 2023-24 season, Gopal has rejoined his home state, eager to contribute to their elusive Ranji Trophy triumph since 2014-15.Gopal's return is a testament to his unwavering loyalty to Karnataka. Despite receiving offers from other states, he has chosen to prioritize his home team's success. This decision reflects his deep connection to Karnataka and his desire to make a meaningful impact on their cricketing fortunes.In the 2022-23 First Class season, Gopal's batting prowess came to the fore as he scored 360 runs at an average of 45. However, he is determined to regain his status as a formidable bowler. He has spent the last year honing his skills, focusing on improving his accuracy and consistency.Gopal's return is particularly crucial for Karnataka, who have struggled to find a reliable spinner in recent years. His experience and ability to control the game with his spin bowling will be invaluable to the team. He is confident of contributing with both bat and ball, aiming for a target of 30-35 wickets and 500 runs in the upcoming season.As a senior pro, Gopal also recognizes his responsibility to mentor the team's younger spinners, Hardik Raj and Mohsin Khan. He is eager to share his knowledge and experience, helping them develop their skills and reach their full potential.Karnataka will be hoping that Gopal's return will inspire the team to break their Ranji Trophy drought. With his experience, leadership, and all-round abilities, he is poised to play a pivotal role in their quest for glory.

Jonty Sidhu, the 26-year-old left-handed batsman, has made a strong start to the new Ranji Trophy season, echoing his impressive performance in the previous campaign. In the opening fixture against Chhattisgarh, Sidhu's unbeaten 103 played a crucial role in Delhi securing the first-innings lead and three points.Sidhu's innings was a testament to his ability to blend caution with aggression, particularly when the team was in a precarious position at 202 for five. He forged valuable partnerships with the lower order, demonstrating his composure and adaptability in challenging situations.Despite his impressive average of 49.1 after 23 First Class matches, this was surprisingly Sidhu's first selection for Delhi's opening game in three seasons. Buoyed by his strong start, he is optimistic about his prospects and aims to make the most of his opportunity.Sidhu's ideal batting position is at No. 4, and he believes that this will allow him to make a more significant impact on the team's performance. He is particularly excited about Delhi's upcoming match against Tamil Nadu, a team against which he has a strong record, having scored two fifties and a century in three previous encounters.Sidhu's resurgence is a welcome boost for Delhi, who have struggled in recent seasons. His ability to contribute consistently with the bat will be crucial to their hopes of improving their fortunes in the Ranji Trophy.