Ranji Trophy Round 1, Day 1: Rinku, Smaran, Rathod hit tons, Shami and Jadeja shine; KL Rahul, Jaiswal fail
Rinku Singh and Yash Rathod hit centuries as Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja dominate on Day 1 of the Ranji Trophy. KL Rahul and Jaiswal fail.
The opening day of the Ranji Trophy delivered a rollercoaster of emotions, featuring explosive centuries from rising stars, masterclass bowling from international veterans, and surprising early exits for some of India's biggest names.
Rinku Singh and Yash Rathod Lead the Charge
In Elite Group A, Uttar Pradesh found their rhythm through a massive unbeaten partnership. After a shaky start that saw them at 85/3, Rinku Singh smashed a brilliant 109* off just 164 balls, supported by Madhav Kaushik, who anchored the innings with a composed 124*. Their partnership propelled UP to a commanding 287/3 against Bihar.
Meanwhile, the three-time champions Vidarbha staged a remarkable recovery. After being dragged down to a precarious 54/5 by the bowling of Vijai Raja and Gaurav Yadav, Yash Rathod (131*) and skipper Akshay Wadkar (112*) turned the tide, guiding Vidarbha to 300/5 by the close of play.
Defending Champions Strike Early
Jammu and Kashmir continued their strong form by bundling out Madhya Pradesh for a mere 196. The bowling duo of Rohit Sharma (5/36) and Sunil Kumar (4/69) dismantled the MP lineup, leaving J&K in a strong position at 3/1.
Big Names Struggle as Smaran Rescues Karnataka
It was a disappointing start for KL Rahul in Elite Group B, as the Karnataka star was dismissed for just 4 runs against Andhra Pradesh. The team faced a crisis at 22/4, but skipper Ravichandran Smaran played a heroic innings, scoring 126 to help Karnataka reach 274. Despite the effort, Andhra Pradesh remains in the hunt, ending the day at 16/2.
In the Saurashtra camp, Ravindra Jadeja made his return to the domestic circuit with an impactful 72*, contributing to a solid 308/4 against Chhattisgarh alongside Prerak Mankad and Chirag Jani.
Shami and Bawne Dominate the Later Sessions
Elite Group C saw Mohammed Shami prove why he remains a force in Indian cricket. His lethal spell of 4/30 helped skittle Delhi for 240. On the other side, Maharashtra showed strength through Ankit Bawne, who remained unbeaten on 105*, helping his side reach 287/5 against Services.
Mumbai's Jaiswal Fails to Fire
In Elite Group D, Mumbai faced an early setback when Yashasvi Jaiswal fell for a duck in just 13 balls. However, the 42-time champions stabilized their innings. Skipper Siddhesh Lad (80*) and Musheer Khan (65) ensured Mumbai ended the day in a respectable position at 249/5 against Chandigarh.