The opening day of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group D saw 16 wickets fall as Hyderabad were left in trouble at 88/6, trailing by 82 runs after bundling out Jammu and Kashmir for 170. Pacer Auqib Nabi continued his fine form with figures of 3/30, while Kartikeya Kak (3/48) and Tanay Thyagarajan (3/19) had earlier helped Hyderabad bowl J&K out. Despite Nabi striking early in the second innings by removing Tanmay Agarwal (0), Abhirath Reddy (5), and Nitish Reddy (3), Hyderabad’s batting response faltered. Skipper Rahul Singh Gahlaut resisted with 48 runs but could not prevent the slide.

Meanwhile, J&K’s innings was bolstered by a brilliant 57 off 49 balls from Abid Mushtaq, who put on 60 runs for the sixth wicket with Abdul Samad and another 47 for the seventh wicket with Sahil Lotra.

Mumbai and other teams dominate on Ranji Trophy Day 1

In Mumbai, hosts reached 317/3 against Pondicherry at the Wankhede Stadium, thanks to outstanding contributions from Musheer Khan (84 off 102 balls, 11x4s) and comeback batter Akhil Herwadkar (86 off 188 balls, 11x4s). Opener Ayush Mhatre added 36 in a brisk start, putting on a 50-run opening stand with Musheer. Herwadkar, playing his first Ranji match for Mumbai since 2018, said he grew in confidence as the innings progressed, despite being dropped twice.

At Rajsamand, Rajasthan posted 263/4 against Delhi, highlighted by centuries from opener Sachin Yadav (130 off 154 balls, 17x4s, 2x6s) and Kunal Singh (103 off 198 balls, 11x4s, 1×6). Both fell towards the end of play, giving Delhi vital breakthroughs.

Chhattisgarh also dominated on the first day at the Amtar Cricket Ground in Himachal Pradesh, reaching 319/3. Anuj Tiwary scored a commanding 162 off 260 balls (20x4s, 3x6s), with opener Ayush Pandey contributing 59. Sanjeet Desai was unbeaten on 76 at stumps.

The first day of the Ranji Trophy delivered an exciting mix of batting heroics and disciplined bowling, setting the stage for thrilling contests ahead.

(By PTI Inputs)