Opener Vineet Saxena (114 batting, 15x4, 1x6) and skipper Hrishikesh Kanitkar (119, 7x4) helped Rajasthan rack up 269 for two against Mumbai on day one of their second round Group ‘A’ Ranji Trophy match on Friday.
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Mumbai’s decision to bowl appeared to be a smart move when seamer Kshemal Waingankar dismissed Ankit Lamba early on. But, the team’s hopes of bowling out Rajasthan cheaply were thwarted by a second-wicket partnership of 220 between Saxena and Kanitkar. After Kanitkar was trapped in front by left-arm spinner Ankeet Chavan, Saxena and Robin Bist (14 batting) ensured there was no further damage.
The Group ‘B’ clash between Delhi and Odisha at the Ferozeshah Kotla was good from the bowlers’ perspective as 13 wickets fell on the opening day. Odisha, opting to bat, was shot out for 143, debutant Manan Sharma (four for 30) being the wrecker-in-chief.
Odisha responded well to reduce Delhi to 62 for three at close, the casualties being captain Shikhar Dhawan, Unmukt Chand, and Mohit Sharma.
Jadhav on song
At Pune, Kedar Jadhav’s run-a-ball ton (102 batting, 20x4) powered Maharashtra to 339 for three after electing to bat against Uttar Pradesh. There were fine contributions, too, from opener Harshad Khadiwale (68, 8x4), Sangram Atitkar (80, 15x4), and Ankit Bawne (60 batting, 10x4).
S. Abbas Ali (103 batting) guided Tripura to 228 for six against Andhra at Anantapur.
