The second leg of 2025-26 Ranji Trophy has commenced. With quarterfinal qualification on the line, all teams were locked in. A couple of international stars were in action but none of them impressed.
Duck for Shubman Gill
India Test captain, Shubman Gill, was leading Punjab against Saurashtra. In what was a rollercoaster day, 23 wickets fell in Rajkot. Saurashtra batted first and were skittled out for 172, with Harpreet Brar claiming a 6-wicket haul. In reply, Punjab managed to score just 139, with Gill scoring a duck. Ravindra Jadeja took 2 wickets as well. By the end of the day, Saurashtra are 24/3, leading by 57.
Sarfaraz Khan smashes hundred
Sarfaraz Khan scores his first first-class hundred in 15 months against Hyderabad. The Mumbai batter’s last century had come against New Zealand in October 2024. The 28-year-old remains unbeaten on 142 as Mumbai finished the day at 332/4 in 87 overs. Mohammed Siraj, who was leading Hyderabad for the first time, managed to take just 1 wicket, of wicketkeeper Akash Anand.
Jalaj Saxena joins the 500 club
Jalaj Saxena claimed his 33rd five-wicket haul in the Ranji Trophy against Goa and went past the 500-wicket mark in first-class cricket. Saxena is now the fourth-highest wicket-taker in Ranji history, going past Narendra Hirwani. Only Sunil Joshi, Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan, and Rajinder Goel have the most wickets.
Abhimanyu Easwaran missed out
Abhimanyu Easwaran fell 19 short of scoring his 28th first-class hundred after getting run out against Services in Kalyani. On a good batting track, Bengal ended the day at 340/4 with Sudip Chatterjee unbeaten on 140. Having already stitched an opening partnership of 151, Easwaran was on his way to post a big score, but luck had it otherwise.
