Cricket

Kerala's gritty lower-order batting, led by captain Sachin Baby and Salman Nizar, put them in a commanding position against Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match at the KCA-St. Xavier's College ground.After resuming on 105 for four, Kerala lost Baba Aparajith and Aditya Sarwate cheaply to Uttar Pradesh's left-arm spinner Shivam Sharma. However, Baby and Akshay Chandran steadied the innings with a 63-run stand for the fifth wicket.When Chandran fell, Baby found an ideal ally in Nizar, who curbed his natural flamboyance to play a patient innings. The duo navigated the challenging track, using the depth of the crease and stepping out to loft the ball over the infield.Baby and Nizar's 99-run partnership for the sixth wicket put Kerala in control. Baby eventually fell for 83, trapped in front by Shivam Mavi, but Jalaj Saxena continued the resistance with a fluent 35.Nizar remained unbeaten on 74, hitting sixes and fours off leg spinner Piyush Chawla to signal Kerala's intent for the third day. Mohammed Azharuddeen also contributed with an unbeaten 11, ensuring Kerala reached 340 for seven at stumps.Uttar Pradesh's bowlers toiled hard, with Shivam Sharma taking two wickets and Saurabh Kumar, Aaqib Khan, and Chawla claiming one each. However, Kerala's lower-order resilience proved too much to overcome.

Riding on opener Shivam Bhambri's eye-catching knock of 80, Chandigarh managed to nudge ahead of Delhi on day two of a Group D Ranji Trophy contest. A number of handy contributions from the middle and lower order, too, made a difference as the host secured a 48-run first-innings lead on a pitch where the spinners were extracting appreciable assistance.Bhambri's 111-ball 80 proved crucial for Chandigarh. The right-hander, who has been in fine form this season, played a patient and composed innings, anchoring the team's batting effort. He found support from wicketkeeper Mayank Sidhu (44) and Aayush Sikka (24), who stitched together a 62-run partnership to deflate Delhi's hopes of grabbing first-innings honours.Delhi captain Himmat Singh relied heavily on spin given the conditions on offer, but pacers Himanshu Chauhan and Siddhant Sharma bowled only 19 of the 92 overs that they were on the field. Ayush Badoni, who is in the team more for his batting, was the most successful of the four tweakers Delhi had at its disposal, claiming four for 57 in 14 overs of off-spin. Left-arm spinner Sumit Mathur bowled well too, returning figures of 28-5-72-3.It was Mathur who made the first breakthrough of day two. Introduced in the 11th over of the day, the 26-year-old removed Manan Vohra immediately. The Chandigarh skipper had added 100 runs for the second wicket alongside Bhambri before being caught by Yash Dhull at cover off a ball that seemed to hold up on the surface.Three more wickets in the opening session, including that of Bhambri who miscued a slog sweep to long on, reduced Chandigarh to 182 for five at lunch, 94 runs adrift of the visitor's total with five wickets in hand. Instead of pressing the panic button, Sidhu and Sikka were judicious in their shot selection and stitched together a 62-run partnership. It went a long way towards deflating Delhi's hopes of grabbing first-innings honours.Badoni, nevertheless, stuck to his task and ended with a four-wicket haul for his second straight game. The scores:Delhi — 1st innings: 276.Chandigarh — 1st innings: Arslan Khan b Siddhant 0, Shivam Bhambri c Kshitiz b Shokeen 80, Manan Vohra c Dhull b Mathur 44, Ankit Kaushik c Himmat b Mathur 2, Rajangad Bawa b Badoni 33, Aayush Sikka lbw b Badoni 24, Mayank Sidhu c (sub) b Badoni 44, Gurinder Singh b Badoni 32, Jagjit Singh Sandhu c Vashisth b Siddhant 18, Nishunk Birla (not out) 21, Vishu Kashyap b Mathur 9; Extras (b-12, lb-3, w-2): 17; Total (in 92 overs): 324.Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-100, 3-104, 4-160, 5-164, 6-226, 7-273, 8-278, 9-302.Delhi bowling: Siddhant 12-3-37-2, Chauhan 7-0-32-0, Mathur 28-5-72-3, Shokeen 18-1-60-1, Vashisth 13-1-51-0, Badoni 14-2-57-4.Delhi — 2nd innings: Sanat Sangwan (batting) 19, Anuj Rawat (batting) 13; Total (for no loss in 10 overs): 32.Chandigarh bowling: Vishu 4-1-13-0, Birla 5-1-13-0, Gurinder 1-0-6-0.

Siddhesh Lad's return to the Mumbai cricket team has been a resounding success, culminating in a match-winning century against Odisha in the Ranji Trophy. After a brief stint as a regional broadcaster, Lad was forced to reconsider his retirement due to Mumbai's need for experience in the middle order.Lad's second-innings fifty on a turning track in Vadodara against Baroda hinted at his continued reliability as Mumbai's "crisis man," a title he earned with his numerous rescue acts in the past. However, Lad's aspirations extend beyond individual accolades to another Mumbai title."I just want to keep enjoying for as long as possible and help Mumbai win another Ranji title," said Lad. "Mumbai regained the Ranji Trophy last season, now I want to be a part of a winning squad again."Lad's return has been a testament to the support and encouragement he received from head coach Omkar Salvi and the rest of the support staff. Despite initially feeling demotivated, Lad was pushed to the hilt and is now grateful for the opportunity to make a difference.Lad's resurgence is a reminder of the importance of experience and resilience in cricket. His ability to adapt to different conditions and perform under pressure is a valuable asset to any team. As Mumbai continues its quest for another Ranji Trophy title, Lad's contributions will be crucial.

Mumbai's batters put on a dominant display in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match against Odisha, posting a mammoth total of 602 for four before their bowlers tightened the noose around the visitors' neck.Shreyas Iyer and Siddhesh Lad were the stars of the show for Mumbai, forging a record-breaking fourth-wicket partnership of 354 runs. Iyer, known for his aggressive batting, smashed 24 fours and nine sixes in his innings of 233, while Lad played a more patient role, contributing 169 not out with 17 fours.The duo's partnership was the highest fourth-wicket stand for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy, surpassing the previous record of 336 set by Wasim Jaffer and Amol Muzumdar in 2006. It also marked the first time that two Mumbai batters had scored double centuries in the same innings of a Ranji Trophy match.Mumbai's innings was further boosted by a cameo from Suryansh Shedge, who smashed 79 not out off just 36 balls, including seven fours and six sixes. The declaration came 20 minutes after lunch, with Mumbai's total standing at an imposing 602 for four.Odisha's bowlers struggled to contain Mumbai's onslaught, with only Himanshu Singh extracting some bounce and turn from the pitch. Singh picked up two wickets, while Suryakant Samantray and Debabrata Pradhan claimed one each.In response, Odisha's openers Anurag Sarangi and Swastik Samal made a steady start, putting on 39 runs for the first wicket. However, Shardul Thakur broke the partnership by dismissing Samal for a duck.Sarangi and Govinda Poddar then added 39 runs for the second wicket before Himanshu struck again, trapping Sarangi lbw for 39. The dismissal triggered a mini-collapse, as Mumbai picked up three wickets for two runs in 16 balls.Odisha's innings was eventually halted at 146 for five, with Sandeep Pattanaik (73 not out) providing some resistance. The onus will be on Pattanaik to stretch the innings on the third morning and wear out Mumbai's four specialist bowlers as much as possible.

Shreyas Iyer, the former Indian captain, has sent a resounding message to the national selectors and IPL franchises with his blistering double century for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy. Iyer, who has been out of the Indian team setup, smashed an unbeaten 233 off just 228 balls against Odisha, following up on his earlier century (142) against Maharashtra.Iyer's latest knock came at a crucial time, just ahead of the IPL mega auction scheduled for November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. His blazing form is sure to catch the attention of franchises, as Iyer, the first captain not to be retained after leading his IPL team to a title, looks to make a fresh impact in the tournament.Returning to action after a one-match break to rest a shoulder injury, Iyer wasted no time asserting his dominance. His innings was a mix of ruthless aggression and controlled strokeplay, including nine sixes and 24 fours. Iyer formed a colossal 354-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Siddhesh Lad, propelling Mumbai to a commanding 508/4 at the time of his dismissal.The 29-year-old's sensational form in the Ranji Trophy serves as a strong statement not only ahead of the IPL auction but also as a reminder to the national selectors amid India's ongoing batting concerns. His back-to-back centuries highlight his hunger for a return to the Indian squad, particularly after being sidelined from recent series.Despite being overlooked for India’s T20I series against South Africa and the India A tour to Australia, Iyer has kept his focus, proving his value in domestic cricket. Having lost his place in the national Test side midway through the England series earlier this year, and not featuring in the BCCI's central contracts list, Iyer has been fighting to regain his form. Though he endured a tough Duleep Trophy and Irani Cup campaign, his resurgence in the Ranji Trophy is evident.Iyer's batting partner, Siddhesh Lad, also found redemption, breaking a six-year century drought in First-Class cricket. Together, the pair ensured Mumbai raced to a formidable total, with Iyer playing the aggressor and Lad anchoring the innings.With his current form, Iyer has not only reminded selectors of his potential for India but also positioned himself as a key contender in the IPL auction, where franchises are likely to be eager to secure his services.

Wriddhiman Saha, the veteran Indian wicketkeeper, has decided to extend his playing career for one more season, thanks to the persuasion of former India captain Sourav Ganguly. Saha had initially planned to retire after the 2022 season, but Ganguly convinced him to stay on and finish his career with Bengal.Saha, who has been battling injuries in recent years, will only play in the Ranji Trophy this season. He has made it clear that he will not be available for the white-ball leg of the domestic season.The 38-year-old Saha has had a distinguished career, playing 40 Tests for India and scoring over 1300 runs. He has also been a key member of the Indian team in limited-overs cricket.Saha's decision to continue playing has been welcomed by the Bengal Cricket Association (CAB). CAB president Avishek Dalmiya said, "We are delighted that Wriddhiman has decided to play for Bengal this season. He is a great asset to the team and his experience will be invaluable."Saha is also looking forward to mentoring the young wicketkeepers in the Bengal team. He said, "I want to share as much knowledge as I have in cricket. I've already started doing that at a couple of academies back home."Saha's decision to continue playing is a testament to his love for the game. He is a true warrior who has overcome many challenges in his career. He is an inspiration to all young cricketers who dream of playing at the highest level.

Bengal's Anustup Majumdar Century Rescues Team from Early TroubleVeteran Bengal skipper Anustup Majumdar played a pivotal role in steering his team out of early trouble on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Group C match against Karnataka. Opting to bat first, Bengal lost opener Shuvam Dey for a duck and Sudip Gharami for 5, leaving them reeling at 21/2.Majumdar, batting at No. 4, steadied the innings with a crucial partnership with Sudip Chatterjee (50). The 40-year-old captain showcased exceptional control, hitting 16 fours on his way to a century off 157 balls. The pair added 100 runs for the third wicket before Karnataka's Vasuki Koushik dismissed Chatterjee.Majumdar remained unruffled, anchoring the innings with authority while Shahbaz Ahmed provided solid support. However, Majumdar's fine innings came to an end just after his century, trapped lbw by Shreyas Gopal. Avilin Ghosh played a quick counter-attacking knock of 27 before debutant seamer Abhilash Shetty dismissed him.At stumps, Shahbaz was unbeaten on 54, alongside veteran keeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha (6 not out). Bengal finished the day at 249/5, leaving Karnataka with a slight advantage.Jalaj Saxena Creates History with Double MilestoneIn another Group C match, Kerala's Jalaj Saxena became the first player in Ranji Trophy history to achieve the remarkable double of 400 wickets and 6000 runs. The 37-year-old spin-bowling all-rounder claimed 5/56 in 17 overs to cross the 400-wicket milestone, adding to his 6000-run mark achieved last week.Kerala bundled out Uttar Pradesh for a modest 162, with Basil Thampi providing support with 2/18. In reply, Kerala reached 82/2 at stumps, trailing by 80 runs.Madhya Pradesh Dominate Bihar with Centuries from Shubham Sharma and Venkatesh IyerIn Group E, Madhya Pradesh captain Shubham Sharma notched up his second century of the season, while Venkatesh Iyer's explosive ton put his team firmly in command against Bihar. Sharma crafted an unbeaten 134 off 183 balls, while Iyer smashed 118 not out off just 113 balls, featuring four sixes and 11 fours.Their 234-run unbroken stand has placed Madhya Pradesh in a dominant position going into the next day.Punjab Spinners Fox HaryanaIn Group B, rookie spin duo Emanjot Singh Chahal and Jass Inder Singh spun a web around Haryana, sharing seven wickets to bowl out the group leaders for a mere 114. Emanjot took 3/43, while Jass Inder starred with figures of 4/33.In reply, Punjab reached 90/5 at stumps, thanks to Anmolpreet Singh's gritty 45 not out. They trail Haryana by 24 runs heading into the next day.

The Ranji Trophy, India's premier domestic cricket tournament, has been embroiled in a fresh controversy involving star Indian cricketer Deepak Hooda. Hooda, who captains the Rajasthan team, has reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with certain selection decisions, leading to a tense situation within the team.According to a report in Sportstar, Hooda skipped a practice session on the eve of Rajasthan's match against Hyderabad in Jaipur. Sources close to the team revealed that there have been ongoing disagreements between Hooda, the ad hoc selection panel, and the coaching staff over player selection."This has been an issue since the start of the season," a source said. "There have been multiple disagreements over player selection between the ad hoc panel and the captain and coach. However, yesterday, things got a bit out of control as the captain, although he came for the practice session, continued to sit out. He was constantly on his phone, busy on calls with the ad hoc committee members and the Sports Minister (Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore)."The report also claimed that an ad hoc committee member threatened to resign over the selection dispute. The ad hoc panel is headed by Jaideep Bihan, with Ratan Singh as the convener and Pawan Goyal, Dharmveer Singh Shekhawat, and Harish Singh as members.Dharmveer Singh Shekhawat, a member of the ad hoc panel, defended the committee's decisions. "These things happen when there are a number of people trying to make a decision," he said. "The more the heads, more the opinions. It isn't wrong and it is not a controversy. The captain wanted wicketkeeper-batter Kunal Singh Rathore to continue despite the fact that he hasn't performed for a while now. He has hit only one fifty in his last three games."The controversy has cast a shadow over Rajasthan's Ranji Trophy campaign. The team has won two of its first three matches but has now been rocked by internal strife. It remains to be seen how the situation will be resolved and whether it will impact Rajasthan's performance in the tournament.

Mohammed Shami's return to competitive cricket has been further delayed due to a fresh injury setback. The Bengal pacer, who has been sidelined since November 2022 with an ankle injury, has now developed a side strain that has ruled him out of the next two Ranji Trophy matches.Shami's absence from the Bengal squad for the matches against Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh effectively ends his hopes of being included in India's squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, starting November 22. Despite showing positive signs of recovery from his ankle injury, Shami's side strain has extended his comeback timeline.The 32-year-old had resumed bowling at full intensity last month and expressed optimism about his recovery. However, the latest setback has dashed his hopes of a swift return to action.Shami's ankle injury had kept him out of action since the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy season, where he was the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 24 wickets in just seven games. Despite the pain and fatigue, he had taken three five-wicket hauls in the tournament.The Bengal squad for the next two Ranji Trophy matches includes Anustup Majumdar (capt), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Sudip Chatterjee, Sudip Gharami, Shahbaz Ahmed, Writtick Chatterjee, Avilin Ghosh, Shuvam Dey, Shakir Habib Gandhi, Pradipta Pramanik, Aamir Gani, Ishan Porel, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, Mohammed Kaif, Rohit Kumar, and Rishav Vivek.India's squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy includes Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Ravichandran Ashwin, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Virat Kohli, Prasidh Krishna, Rishabh Pant (wk), KL Rahul, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, and Washington Sundar.