Ranji Trophy Round-up: GT all-rounder’s heroic knock, Kohli doesn’t get chance to bat & biggest win by Mumbai

Gujarat, Andhra, Mumbai, Delhi, Kerala, Saurashtra, Jharkhand and Bengal have won their respective games so far.

It was a bit anti-climatic for the Delhi fans who jostled to the Arun Jaitley Stadium for their hero Virat Kohli. The modern-day great had his opportunity in the first innings but failed to deliver. Fans hoped for another attempt but the Delhi bowlers didn’t allow it to happen as the hosts claimed their second win of the season by an innings and 19 runs. Meanwhile, Mumbai did themselves a huge favour by hammering Meghalaya by an innings and 456 runs! It is Mumbai’s biggest ever win in Ranji Trophy. All they need now is Jammu and Kashmir to beat Baroda. Meanwhile, Karun Nair continued his red-hot form as he slammed another ton for Vidarbha. At the Holkar Stadium, meanwhile, the UP vs MP clash has already seen over 1000 runs scored.

GT’s new player dazzles with 150

The Gujarat Titans (GT) would surely be happy to see their new acquisition doing wonders in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. Playing for Haryana, Nishant Sindhu faced a stiff challenge against an in-form Karnataka side that have it’s fair share of supersats. In front of the Karnataka crowd, Sindhu dazzled with a superb century, a big one for sure. The hosts made over 300 runs in the first innings and Sindhu had a job to do after his captain Ankit Kumar left with a century. Other batters just couldn’t perform up to his level and Sindhu clinched his sixth FC ton.

Against the likes of Vidwath Kaverappa, Prasidh Krishna, and Vasuki Koushik, Sindhu slammed 15 fours and six sixes and operated at a fast rate of almost 90. He made 165 off 184 balls, taking Haryana’s lead to 146. Considering GT have Washington Sundar, Sai Kishore, Manav Suthar, and other spinners, it would be tough for Sindhu to make his case. But amping up his batting abilities would surely make him a considerable option.

Despite Delhi’s win, fans are disappointed

Virat Kohli’s much-anticipated return to domestic cricket ended in an anti-climactic fashion as Delhi steamrolled Railways by an innings and 19 runs in their Ranji Trophy clash. Fans had flocked to the Arun Jaitley Stadium, eager to witness the maestro wield his willow, but their hopes were dashed as Delhi’s bowlers ran through the opposition before Kohli could take guard in the second innings.

Returning to first-class cricket after a long hiatus, Kohli’s presence alone had electrified the atmosphere. His mere stride onto the field during Delhi’s first innings sent the crowd into a frenzy. However, he managed just 6 runs before falling to a sharp inswinger by Himanshu Sangwan. While Delhi’s dominance was superb—thanks to a clinical bowling performance that skittled Railways out cheaply—spectators left with a bittersweet feeling, having missed out on another Kohli masterclass.

The match might go down as a resounding win for Delhi, but for the fans, it felt incomplete. They had hoped for a vintage Kohli knock, something to etch into their memories. Instead, they saw a one-sided contest where the biggest attraction never got a second chance. Sumit Mathur got the Player of the Match award for his fighting 86 with the bat and three wickets in the first innings. Veteran Shivam Sharma got five wickets in the third innings.

Mumbai show why they are the best

Mumbai delivered a statement performance in a must-win Ranji Trophy clash, thrashing Meghalaya by an innings and 456 runs at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). This was Mumbai’s biggest-ever victory in Ranji history and the third-largest innings win in the tournament’s history. The emphatic result also earned them seven crucial points, keeping their knockout hopes alive in Elite Group A.

With their campaign on the line, Mumbai batted with ruthless intent after bundling out Meghalaya for just 86 in the first innings. Shardul Thakur struck a superb hat-trick in the first innings. At one stage, Meghalaya had lost six wickets for just two runs—the worst start to a first-class innings in 152 years.

Thakur led the destruction with a four-wicket haul, while Royston Avasthi (3), Sylvester D’Souza (2), and Shams Mulani (1) chipped in. In response, Mumbai piled up a massive 671/7 before declaring, thanks to centuries from Siddesh Lad (145), Akash Anand (103), and Shams Mulani (100*). Thakur further boosted his India comeback hopes with a blistering 84 off just 42 balls.

Meghalaya’s second innings didn’t fare any better. Thakur once again struck early with four wickets, while Tanush Kotian ran through the lower order with another four-for, wrapping up a dominant victory. This win lifted Mumbai to the top of the Elite Group A Ranji Trophy table. They now have 29 points, the same tally that even Jammu and Kashmir have. Mumbai need J&K to beat Baroda as well.

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