Jharkhand's young wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra grabbed eyeballs after belting a superlative double century that propelled his team to a mammoth total of 506 in the Ranji Trophy fourth round match against Baroda.
Kumar Kushagra stands tall with double century for Jharkhand
Playing in his 29th first-class match, the 21-year-old struck a commanding 234 off 367 balls. Kushagra is well-known in the IPL circuit, having been bought by Delhi Capitals for an eye-popping ₹7.2 crore ahead of the 2024 season before moving to Gujarat Titans for IPL 2025. His epic knock was the highlight as Jharkhand was finally bowled out for 506 in 140 overs on the second day of the Ranji Trophy Group A match on Sunday.
Jharkhand quickly capitalized on their commanding first-innings total by striking early blows against Baroda's batting lineup, firmly putting the opposing team on the mat. Right-arm pacer Sahil Raj (2/15) led the attack, swiftly reducing Baroda to 78 for three. By taking these crucial early wickets, the table-toppers ensured they tightened their grip and established a dominant position over their opponents.
Vijay Shankar's ton takes Tripura to 602/7
In another Ranji Trophy encounter, Vijay Shankar delivered a career-best performance, scoring a remarkable 150 not out while batting at number seven. His explosive innings perfectly complemented the fine knock of 156 by Hanuma Vihari. Together, they helped Tripura pile up a mammoth total, seizing firm control of their Elite Group C match against Assam here on Sunday.
Vijay Shankar, who switched his allegiance from Tamil Nadu to Tripura for the current season, batted with exceptional authority, marking his first major innings for his new team. He remained unbeaten, finishing on 150 off just 143 balls, an innings embellished with 14 fours and four sixes. Following his heroics, the hosts declared their innings at an imposing total of 602 for seven.
'Birthday Boy' Prithvi Shaw impresses with 92-ball 71
Prithvi Shaw continues to demonstrate excellent form in the domestic circuit, playing another fine hand for Maharashtra against Karnataka. The batter accumulated a solid 71 runs off 92 balls, an innings that included nine well-struck boundaries.
Shaw has been in terrific form since making the domestic move from Mumbai to Maharashtra. This was his third score of 50 or more in recent matches, highlighting his consistent run-making. While he played a crucial knock, the young opener will undoubtedly be keen to convert these half-centuries into a bigger score going forward.
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Paras Dogra's scintillating century
Jammu & Kashmir batter Paras Dogra continued his incredible run in the Ranji Trophy, seemingly hitting centuries for pleasure. He notched up another magnificent hundred, scoring 106 off 183 balls, an innings highlighted by 11 boundaries and one maximum. This impressive knock was crucial for his team's stability; J&K had been reduced to a precarious 46/4 before Dogra and Samad formed a prudent partnership for the fifth wicket, successfully reviving their innings. This milestone marked Dogra’s 33rd First-Class century.
All-Round excellence from Shams Mulani
Mumbai all-rounder Shams Mulani showcased his superior skills with both bat and ball on Day 2 of the match against Himachal Pradesh. Mulani's contribution started with the bat, as he compiled a vital knock of 69 runs off 122 balls, including nine boundaries, helping Mumbai post a strong first-innings total of 446. His impact wasn't limited to batting; he later ensured Mumbai took the lead in the game by also taking a wicket with the ball. This comprehensive all-round performance proved essential to Mumbai's control over the contest.