Several players starred on Day 2.
The fourth round of the Ranji Trophy has seen some big players showcasing their red-ball skills, and the first day started with several notable performances. Here’s the full round-up of all the key moments and performances from Day 2, Round 4.
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Playing for Tripura, CSK all-rounder Vijay Shankar hit a century while batting at No.7 to put his team in a commanding position. He came in at 312/4 and ensured Tripura kept going after a sensational ton from Hanuma Vihari.
On Day 2, Shankar soon completed his ton by forming useful partnerships with lower-order batters and batted with a positive intent. Eventually, he stayed unbeaten on 150 in 143 balls, including 14 boundaries and four maximums, at a strike rate of 104.90.
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Known for his big hitting, Jammu & Kashmir batter Abdul Samad proved his red-ball credentials with a fine knock against Delhi. He scored 85 runs in 115 balls, with the help of 12 boundaries and a maximum, but would have liked to translate it into a century.
His team was in early trouble after being reduced to 46/4, but Samad formed a prudent stand with P K Dogra to provide some stability to the innings in the second innings. This knock has ensured J&K didn’t bundle quickly, as looked initially.
Kumar Kushagra has again proved why he is rated so highly in the domestic arena. The Gujarat Titans (GT) wicketkeeper-batter batted at No.3 and notched up a magnificent double century to take his team to a big first-innings total against Baroda in the Ranji Trophy.
Kushagra scored 234 runs in 367 deliveries, comprising 23 boundaries and four maximums. His knock has put Jharkhand in a commanding position, and they were bowled out for 506.
Meanwhile, Akash Choudhary from Meghalaya scripted history by becoming only the second batter after Ravi Shastri to hit six sixes in an over in the Ranji Trophy. He achieved the feat against Arunachal Pradesh, as he went on to smash the fastest ever First Class fifty.
Akash ended unbeaten on 50 in just 14 balls, including eight maximums, at a strike rate of 357.14. All of those eight sixes came in consecutive deliveries, six of them in one over of Limar Dabi.
Shivam Mavi always had strong batting credentials and again proved them with his maiden First Class century. He scored an unbeaten 101 in just 87 balls, with 10 boundaries and five maximums, at a strike rate of 116.09.
Later, Mavi also started well with the ball and took two early wickets. His all-round show has left Nagaland reeling on Day 2.
Shaik Rasheed has been in the form of his life and came up with another fighting knock for Andhra in the Ranji Trophy. He scored 87 runs in 150 balls, including eight boundaries and two maximums, to revive his team from a precarious situation.
Unfortunately, no other batter could support him, and Rasheed was left unbeaten on 87 as Andhra bundled on a mere 177 against Tamil Nadu. This was his third 50+ knock in four attempts, and he could have easily converted it into three digits, like his other innings, if others had found a way to stay at the crease.
Maharashtra batter Prithvi Shaw played another fine hand against Karnataka. He accumulated 71 runs in 92 balls, including nine boundaries.
He has been in terrific form since changing his domestic side from Mumbai to Maharashtra. This was his third 50+ score, even though Shaw would have liked to make a big one.
Jammu & Kashmir batter Paras Dogra can’t stop hitting centuries for fun in Ranji Trophy. He scored a magnificent 106 in 183 balls, with the help of 11 boundaries and a maximum.
J&K were reduced to 46/4 before he and Samad formed a prudent stand for the fifth wicket to revive his team. This was his 33rd First Class century.
While Paras Dogra and Abdul Samad put on a resilient show, Simarjeet Singh was the biggest star from Day 2 of the Delhi vs Jammu & Kashmir fixture. He took six wickets for 52 runs in 16.2 overs.
His spell helped Delhi bundle the opponent on 310. Simarjeet was unplayable at times and again showed why he is among the finest in the Delhi cricket circuit.
Mumbai all-rounder Shams Mulani showcased his superior all-round skills on Day 2 against Himachal Pradesh. Firstly, he scored 69 runs in 122 balls, with nine boundaries, to help his team post 446 in the first innings.
Later, Mulani also took a wicket with the ball. His performance ensured Mumbai went ahead in the game.
If Prithvi Shaw played a fine knock for Maharashtra, Shreyas Gopal weaved his magic again in the same Ranji Trophy game. He removed four batters on Day 2 and ensured Karnataka are ahead in the game, even after Shaw’s knock.
Hanuma Vihari was one of the top performers on Day 1, scoring a fine century for Tripura. However, he couldn’t add much to his tally on Day 2 of the Ranji Trophy.
Vihari scored 156 runs in 228 balls, including 18 boundaries and two sixes. However, his knock ensured the team was in a commanding position.
Playing for Uttar Pradesh, former India U19 captain Priyam Garg registered a low score. He could only add four to his tally before falling to R Jonathan against Nagaland.
Narayan Jagadeesan, who was with India’s team as a backup wicketkeeper in the most recent Test assignment, had a false start. He was dismissed on a golden duck against Andhra, his third consecutive lowest score in this edition’s Ranji Trophy.
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