**Shreyas Iyer’s Unbeaten Century Propels Mumbai to Strong Start in Ranji Trophy**
**Mumbai vs Odisha: Shreyas Iyer shines on Day 1**
In a thrilling start to their Ranji Trophy match against Odisha, Mumbai’s Shreyas Iyer stole the show with an unbeaten century on his return to the team. Iyer, who scored a ton against Maharashtra in October, missed the previous fixture against Tripura due to rest but made a flying comeback with an impressive knock. Finishing the day on 152*, including 18 fours and 4 sixes, Iyer showcased his class and skill.
Partnering with Siddhesh Lad, who scored a brilliant 116*, the duo amassed an unbroken partnership of 231 runs by stumps on Day 1. Despite some early setbacks, including the bowing out of Angkrish Raghuvanshi on 92 and Rahane for a duck, Mumbai ended the day at 385 for 3, putting themselves in a commanding position.
**Assam vs Tamil Nadu: Tamil Nadu’s batting shines**
In another exciting match, Tamil Nadu’s Andre Siddarth C and Vijay Shankar stood out with half-centuries as the team scored 299 for 7 on Day 1 against Assam. While other batters like Pradosh Ranjan Paul and Shahrukh Khan got starts, they were unable to convert them into big scores. Assam’s Darshan Rajbongshi, Rahul Singh, and Swarupam Purkayastha picked up two wickets each to keep the pressure on Tamil Nadu.
**Karnataka vs Bengal: Anustup Majumdar leads Bengal’s fightback**
Bengal skipper Anustup Majumdar’s century and strong performances by Shahbaz Ahmed and Sudip Chatterjee helped Bengal reach 249 for 5 against Karnataka. Despite an early threat from Karnataka’s Vasuki Koushik, Bengal fought back with a crucial 100-run partnership between Chatterjee and Majumdar.
**Bihar vs Madhya Pradesh: Shubham Sharma and Venkatesh Iyer dominate**
Madhya Pradesh’s Shubham Sharma and Venkatesh Iyer showcased their batting prowess, powering the team to 381 for 4 on Day 1 against Bihar. Despite a shaky start, the duo put on an impressive 234-run partnership, with Venkatesh hitting four sixes on his way to 118*.
**Haryana vs Punjab: Punjab’s bowlers excel**
In a bowling masterclass, Punjab’s Jassinder Singh and Emanjot Singh Chahal starred as they bowled out Haryana for 114. Punjab, in response, are currently 90 for 5, aiming to take the lead on Day 2. With 15 wickets falling on the first day, both teams are in for an intense battle.
**Kerala vs Uttar Pradesh: Jalaj Saxena’s heroics lead Kerala’s charge**
Jalaj Saxena’s five-wicket haul helped Kerala bowl out Uttar Pradesh for 162, setting the stage for a competitive match. Despite losing both openers cheaply, Kerala are at 82 for 2, trailing by only 80 runs.
**Chandigarh vs Delhi: Nishunk Birla’s six-for stuns Delhi**
Chandigarh’s Nishunk Birla shone with a six-wicket haul as Delhi was bowled out for 276, despite Yash Dhull’s century. Chandigarh’s Manan Vohra and Shivam Bhambri stabilized the innings with a partnership, ending the day at 63 for 1.
**Maharashtra vs Services: Services start strong**
Services had a solid start against Maharashtra, reaching 239 for 4 at Stumps on Day 1, thanks to an opening partnership of 128 runs and Ravi Chauhan’s 59.
**Plate Group Matches: Goa and Nagaland dominate**
In the Plate Group matches, Goa continued their dominance with 322 for 3 against Mizoram, led by Snehal Kauthankar’s unbeaten 135. Meanwhile, Nagaland reduced Sikkim to 157 for 7 with Dip Borah’s four-wicket haul.
Overall, the opening day of the Ranji Trophy saw some exceptional performances, setting the stage for thrilling encounters in the days to come. The competition is heating up, with players eager to make their mark in one of India’s most prestigious cricket tournaments.
**Rajasthan vs Vidarbha: Vidarbha’s strong start**
In a highly anticipated match-up, Vidarbha made a strong start against Rajasthan, finishing Day 1 at 278 for 3. Opener Sanjay Ramaswamy and Ganesh Satish led the charge with their solid batting display, putting Vidarbha in a commanding position. Despite some early breakthroughs by Rajasthan’s bowlers, Vidarbha managed to build crucial partnerships to set a solid foundation for the innings.
**Uttarakhand vs Jharkhand: Jharkhand’s dominance**
Jharkhand asserted their dominance on Day 1 against Uttarakhand, posting a formidable total of 345 for 4. Skipper Ishan Kishan led from the front with an impressive century, supported by Saurabh Tiwary’s steady innings. Uttarakhand’s bowlers struggled to contain the Jharkhand batters, with Kishan and Tiwary forming a potent partnership that put their team in a commanding position.
**Gujarat vs Baroda: Parthiv Patel’s resilience**
In a closely contested match, Gujarat faced off against Baroda with Parthiv Patel showcasing his resilience at the crease. Patel’s gritty knock helped Gujarat reach 270 for 5 by the end of Day 1. Despite facing a disciplined Baroda bowling attack, Patel held firm and anchored the innings, guiding Gujarat to a competitive total. With valuable contributions from the middle order, Gujarat will look to build on their solid start in the upcoming days of the match.
**Jammu and Kashmir vs Tripura: J&K’s strong bowling display**
Jammu and Kashmir’s bowlers put up a stellar performance on Day 1 against Tripura, as they bowled out the opposition for 180. Umar Nazir and Abid Mushtaq led the charge with their incisive bowling, picking up crucial wickets to restrict Tripura’s scoring. In response, Jammu and Kashmir made a steady start, reaching 98 for 2 by the close of play. With a solid bowling display followed by a composed batting effort, J&K will aim to dominate the proceedings in the remainder of the match.
**Himachal Pradesh vs Saurashtra: Himachal’s fightback**
In a match marked by twists and turns, Himachal Pradesh staged a remarkable fightback against Saurashtra on Day 1. Despite being reduced to 56 for 4 early in their innings, Himachal displayed resilience through a gritty partnership between Ankush Bains and Vaibhav Arora. The duo steadied the ship and guided Himachal to 206 for 5 at stumps, with Arora playing a crucial role in their recovery. With momentum on their side, Himachal will look to capitalize on their fightback and put pressure on Saurashtra in the following days of the match.
**Conclusion**
The first day of the Ranji Trophy witnessed captivating cricketing action across various matches, with standout performances from individual players and teams displaying their skills and resilience on the field. As the tournament progresses, fans can expect more thrilling encounters, intense battles, and moments of brilliance from the players vying for glory in one of India’s premier domestic competitions. The stage is set for an exciting journey in the Ranji Trophy, where talent, determination, and sportsmanship will take center stage in the quest for success on the cricket field.
