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<\/picture><\/div>\nIn his previous Ranji Trophy innings, Ayush Badoni amassed a career-best score of 217. In his previous innings against Jharkhand, in the 2024-25 season, he had racked up 205. There was an air of inevitability, then, to the 26-year-old sparkling on day one of Delhi\u2019s Ranji Elite Group-C duel against Jharkhand at the JSCA International Stadium.<\/p>\n
On a balmy Monday in Jharkhand\u2019s capital, Badoni brought up his sixth First Class hundred and remained unbeaten on 106 to steer the visitor to 309 for five at stumps.<\/p>\n
As chanceless as Badoni\u2019s ton was, he couldn\u2019t have helped Delhi stage a commendable recovery without the company of Sumit Mathur, who contributed 50 in an unbroken partnership of 128 for the sixth wicket. A moment of fortune fell Mathur\u2019s way as he was called back on 36 despite holing out at long-on because Anukul Roy had overstepped.<\/p>\n
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Badoni.\n <\/p>\n
Other than this lapse, the partnership between Badoni and Mathur struck no false note. On a pitch where all five wickets fell to the tweakers, the Delhi skipper put on a masterclass in facing spin, cutting, driving and sweeping with regal ease. He consumed just 111 deliveries to reach the three-figure milestone.<\/p>\n
Such authority seemed a distant possibility when Delhi was reduced to 181 for five. In the first session, Priyansh Arya and Sanat Sangwan were undone by off-spinners armed with a newish ball. Priyansh was castled by Kounain Quraishi while Sangwan was bowled in identical fashion by Utkarsh Singh.<\/p>\n
Between lunch and tea, Delhi found itself in further strife. Yash Dhull\u2019s full-blooded drive was brilliantly snaffled by Anukul on his follow-through. Ayush Doseja\u2019s attempted drive off Quraishi was sliced as pacer Jatin Pandey ran back from cover point and put in a last-ditch dive to complete a stunning catch.<\/p>\n
By the close, though, Badoni had not just taken firm control, but also shown signs that another big hundred could be in store.<\/p>\n
The scores: Delhi \u20141st innings:<\/b> Priyansh Arya b Quraishi 39, Sanat Sangwan b Utkarsh 37, Yash Dhull c & b Anukul 29, Ayush Doseja c Jatin b Quraishi 21, Ayush Badoni (batting) 106, Anuj Rawat b Utkarsh 18, Sumit Mathur (batting) 50; Extras (b-8, nb-1): 9; Total (for five wkts. in 90 overs): 309.<\/p>\n
Fall of wickets:<\/b> 1-56, 2-99, 3-123, 4-143, 5-181.<\/p>\n
Jharkhand bowling:<\/b> Jatin 9-2-30-0, Shubh 4-0-7-0, Utkarsh 23-4-63-2, Aditya 11-1-40-0, Kounain Quraishi 15-0-70-2, Anukul 28-2-91-1.<\/p>\n
Toss:<\/b> Delhi.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n