Jharkhand batters piled on runs on Day 2 of the Ranji Trophy’s pre-quarter-final clash against Nagaland at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The 17-year-old wicketkeeper-batter became the sixth-youngest batter to score a century in First-Class cricket. Nagaland bowlers were below par on Day 2 as after Kumar Kushagra's 266, Shahbaz Nadeem went on to score his second century in the format. Nadeem remained unbeaten for 123 at the end of day's play as Jharkhand posted 769/9 after 177 overs. Despite posting a daunting first innings total on the board, Jharkhand skipper Saurabh Tiwary did not declare the innings.
Jharkhand new-ball bowlers Abu Nechim and Raja Ranjit Swarnkar remained wicketless. Khrievitso Kense and Imliwati Lemtur picked two wickets each on Day 2 while other Nagland bowlers toiled hard in the middle.
Roy was the first to fall on Day 2. The bowling all-rounder scored 59 runs from 88 deliveries including seven boundaries. He shared a 138-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Kushagra. The teenager went on to score 266 runs from 270 deliveries. He hit as many as 37 fours and two sixes. He added 154 runs to his score on Day 2. In the second session he lost his wicket to Kense. After his wicket, Nagaland hoped to mop up the tail quickly. In the same over, Sushant Mishra departed for a three-ball duck.
However, Nadeem carried on. Ashish Kumar got out for a 19-ball 10 but Nadeem shared an unbeaten 80-run partnership for the 10th wicket. The no.11 batter Rahul Shukla remained unbeaten for 29 off 70 deliveries including four fours and one six. On the other end, Nadeem reached his century in the third session. He walked back to the dressing room not out for 123 off 223 deliveries. The 32-year-old's unbeaten 123-run knock comprised of 14 fours and one six.
While Tiwary is yet to declare, it is possible that he asks Nadeem and Shukla to go all guns blazing in the first session. So far, Jharkhand’s 769/9 is the highest total by any team in the ongoing season. On Day 3 and Day 4 pitches, Tiwary will back his spinners to bundle out Nagaland twice and register a massive win by an innings.
