Cricket

Newly appointed Delhi captain Ayush Badoni showcased his exceptional talent with a scintillating century, guiding Delhi towards a potential first-innings lead against Jharkhand in their Ranji Trophy Group D encounter.Badoni, known for his exploits with Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, displayed his hunger for runs with an unbeaten 116 off 144 deliveries. His knock propelled Delhi to 238 for 5 at stumps on Day 3, in response to Jharkhand's formidable first-innings total of 382.Badoni's innings was a masterclass in strokeplay, featuring 11 boundaries and four sixes. He fearlessly attacked the Jharkhand bowlers, hitting two sixes off former Mumbai Indians spinner Anukul Roy. His partnership with Sumit Mathur (19*) for the unbroken sixth wicket has added 80 runs, but Delhi still require 148 runs on the final day to secure three points and maintain their quarter-final hopes.The contrast between Badoni's quality and that of some of his teammates was evident. While Badoni played with confidence and aggression, others struggled to make significant contributions. Anuj Rawat (52) was the only other top-order batsman to make a notable impact.Delhi's designated skipper Himmat Singh, who was replaced by Badoni after a defeat against Chandigarh, continued his poor form with a duck. He is likely to be replaced by Jonty Sidhu in the next match.The most significant partnership for Delhi was the 60-run stand between Mayank Gusain (24) and Badoni for the fifth wicket. Badoni's ability to counterattack and take the aerial route set him apart from his colleagues.On the final day, Badoni will aim for a double century, but he will need support from Mathur and lower-order batter Siddhant Sharma, both of whom have shown their batting prowess earlier this season.

Andhra Pradesh made a strong start in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match against Hyderabad, thanks to a five-wicket haul from off-spinner Tripurana Vijay and a fluent half-century from S.K. Rasheed.Vijay, playing in his first Ranji Trophy match, impressed with his immaculate line and length, claiming the wickets of Abhirath Reddy, K. Rohit Rayudu, K. Himateja, G. Rahul Singh, and Chama Milind. His career-best figures of 5/118 helped restrict Hyderabad to 301 in their first innings.Hyderabad's innings was anchored by Tanmay Agarwal, who scored a gritty 159 despite losing wickets at regular intervals. Agarwal's knock included two huge sixes off Vijay, but he eventually fell to Rafi.In response, Andhra openers M. Hemanth Reddy and Abhishek Reddy got off to a solid start, putting on 67 runs for the second wicket. However, both batsmen were dismissed in quick succession, leaving Andhra at 84/2.Rasheed then took center stage, showcasing his class with a fluent 79 not out. He timed his shots beautifully, particularly through the midwicket and cover regions, and combined rock-solid defense with excellent stroke-play.Karan Shinde provided valuable support to Rasheed, contributing 41 runs. The duo denied Hyderabad any further success, as the bowlers struggled on a pitch that offered little assistance.At the close of play on the second day, Andhra had reached 168/2, trailing Hyderabad by 133 runs. Rasheed and Shinde remained unbeaten at the crease, looking to build on their partnership and put Andhra in a strong position.

Debutants Krishnan Shrijith and Yashovardhan Parantap played pivotal roles as Karnataka tightened their grip on Uttar Pradesh in their Ranji Trophy encounter at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium.Shrijith, resuming on 68, played a composed innings, reaching his maiden century off 125 balls. He was ably supported by Parantap, who contributed a gritty 118-ball half-century. The duo's partnership of 61 for the seventh wicket helped Karnataka extend their first-innings lead to 186 runs.Uttar Pradesh's bowlers struggled to contain the lower order, with three defiant partnerships contributing to Karnataka's total. Skipper Aryan Juyal and Madhav Kaushik led the hosts' fightback in the second innings, but Karnataka's bowlers kept them in check.Shrijith's century was a testament to his patience and determination. He weathered a barrage of short balls from Shivam Mavi and Aaqib Khan, and played with a solid technique. Parantap, on the other hand, showed maturity beyond his years, exhibiting a precocious grit that belied his 20 years.The match is poised for an exciting finish, with Uttar Pradesh needing to bat aggressively to chase down a challenging target. Karnataka, on the other hand, will be looking to capitalize on their advantage and secure a crucial victory.

Anshul Kamboj, the Haryana fast bowler, unleashed a devastating spell on Thursday, claiming all eight wickets to fall in his side's Ranji Trophy match against Kerala at the Chaudhary Bansi Lal Stadium.Kamboj, known for his restless energy on the field, channeled his intensity into his bowling, hustling the Kerala batters with his pace and accuracy. The 23-year-old started the day with three wickets and added five more, leaving the Kerala batting order in tatters."Yesterday we bowled a little too outside the off stump. We could have had more wickets, considering the way the ball was moving. So, today I bowled a little straighter so that the batter plays every ball," said Kamboj after the day's play.With Kerala down to its last two wickets, Kamboj now has a glorious chance to enter the history books. Only two players have ever achieved the feat of taking all 10 wickets in a Ranji Trophy innings – Bengal's Premangsu Chatterjee in 1957 and Rajasthan's Pradeep Sunderam in 1985.Kamboj is candid enough to admit that the possibility of a ten-wicket-haul entices him. "Since such a situation [ten wickets] doesn't come very often, I will try to get two more wickets. But if the team is getting the wickets, I am equally happy," said Kamboj with a nervous smile.Kamboj's performance has not only put Haryana in a commanding position in the match but has also brought him into the limelight. The young fast bowler has been making waves in domestic cricket with his impressive pace and wicket-taking ability.If Kamboj can complete the ten-wicket-haul, he will not only etch his name in the history books but also boost his chances of a call-up to the Indian national team. The Indian team is currently in search of a young and talented fast bowler who can provide them with the cutting edge in international cricket.

Mohammed Shami, the Indian fast bowler, made a triumphant return to competitive cricket after a year-long injury layoff, taking four wickets for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy.Shami, who last played in the World Cup final in Ahmedabad in 2024, had raised concerns about his fitness after going wicketless in ten overs on the opening day. However, he dispelled those doubts with a superb performance on the second day, helping Bengal take a commanding lead.Despite being advised to tread cautiously, Shami bowled with intensity and accuracy, troubling the Madhya Pradesh batsmen with his trademark swing and seam. He bowled a total of 19 overs, taking four wickets for 54 runs.Bengal captain Anustup Majumdar praised Shami's determination to return to the field. "He has proven how desperate he was to return to the field," Majumdar said. "It didn't seem to me that he was returning from an injury."Shami's performance has raised hopes that he will be fit for India's upcoming tour of Australia. The Ranji Trophy is the only competitive red-ball cricket Shami will play before the tour, so his performance in Indore will be closely monitored by the national selectors.If Shami can maintain his fitness and form, he will be a valuable asset to the Indian team in Australia. His experience and skill will be crucial in the challenging conditions Down Under.

Tamil Nadu's batting prowess was on full display as they ended day two of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group-D fixture against Railways with a commanding 324 for six, establishing a significant lead of 95 runs.The opening partnership between M. Shahrukh Khan and N. Jagadeesan laid the foundation for TN's strong position. Shahrukh, known for his aggressive batting, unleashed his power with expansive drives and hooks, amassing 86 runs off 114 deliveries. Jagadeesan, the Tamil Nadu skipper, played a more measured innings, accumulating 56 runs off 117 balls. Their 137-run stand provided a solid platform for the team.However, Railways bowlers managed to break the partnership, dismissing Shahrukh and Jagadeesan in quick succession. Vijay Shankar and Pradosh Ranjan Paul also fell cheaply, leaving TN at 160 for four.Undeterred, C. Andre Siddarth stepped up and consolidated the innings. He formed two crucial partnerships, first with Paul (38) and then with S. Mohamed Ali (37 batting). Siddarth's 78 runs off 133 deliveries, characterized by precise ground strokes and off-side boundaries, proved invaluable.Despite Railways' efforts to regain momentum, TN's batters remained resolute. Kunal Yadav's late wickets of Siddarth and R. Sonu Yadav could not prevent TN from extending their lead.Railways bowlers toiled hard throughout the day, but luck seemed to elude them. Several close lbw and caught-behind appeals went unanswered, and some chances were missed in the slip cordon.As the match enters its third day, TN holds a clear advantage. Their substantial lead and four wickets in hand give them the upper hand. Railways, on the other hand, will need to produce a strong performance to turn the tide in their favor.

Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has put himself in contention for a spot on the upcoming Australian tour with an impressive performance in the Ranji Trophy. Playing for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh in Indore, Shami claimed four wickets, boosting his chances of joining the Indian team for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Shami's last competitive appearance was in the World Cup final in November 2022. Since then, he has undergone ankle surgery and suffered a knee injury during his recovery. The Indian team management was keen to assess his fitness before considering him for the Australian tour.In response, Shami bowled four spells across 57 overs, taking 4 wickets for 54 runs. His performance has impressed the selectors, who were eager to see him in action before making a decision."Obviously, Shami was asked to play this game keeping in mind that the next round of Ranji Trophy will only start on January 23 after the Test season is over," said a BCCI source. "So, the selectors had only one match to check his fitness. He has bowled 19 overs in multiple spells and fielded for most part of the 57 overs. He bowled 90 dot balls. But he will again have to bowl and field (in the second innings). Suppose he bowls another 15 to 18 overs in the second innings, that's a very decent amount of overs bowled."The source added, "But the biggest test would be whether he again feels any pain after four days. If the NCA medical team green-lights his fitness, obviously he will join before the second Test."The national selection committee will assess Shami's fitness after the Ranji match concludes on November 16. If cleared, he might join the Indian team before the second Test against Australia, starting on December 6.Shami's return to fitness is a major boost for the Indian team, who are looking to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. The experienced pacer brings a wealth of experience and skill to the bowling attack, and his inclusion would strengthen India's chances of success Down Under.

In a historic feat, Goa batters Kashyap Bakle and Snehal Kauthankar have shattered records in the Ranji Trophy, forging an unprecedented 606-run partnership for the third wicket. This remarkable achievement stands as the highest partnership in the tournament's 90-year history.Bakle (300*) and Kauthankar (314*) remained unbeaten as Goa declared their first innings at 727/2 against Arunachal Pradesh (84 all out) in a Plate League match in Provorim, Goa. Their unbroken partnership eclipses the previous record of 594*, set by Swapnil Gugale and Ankit Bawne for Maharashtra against Delhi in 2016-17.This extraordinary partnership is now the second-highest stand in first-class cricket history, surpassed only by the 624-run partnership between Sri Lankan legends Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene against South Africa in a 2006 Test match.Bakle and Kauthankar displayed exceptional resilience, skill, and determination, frustrating their opponents and etching their names in the record books. This historic achievement has placed them among the legends of the Ranji Trophy.Remarkably, this is only the second time in Ranji history that two triple centuries have been scored in the same innings. The first such instance occurred in the 1989-90 season, when Tamil Nadu's WV Raman and AG Kripal Singh slammed triple hundreds against Goa.Earlier on Day 1, Goa pacer Arjun Tendulkar, son of Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in first-class cricket. The 25-year-old left-arm seamer finished with impressive figures of 5 for 25 in 9 overs, which included three maiden overs. This achievement came in his 17th first-class match, as Arjun spearheaded the collapse of the Arunachal Pradesh batting lineup.

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.