Sarfaraz smashes another hundred
New Delhi, Jan 17: Sitting atop a pile of runs, Sarfaraz Khan was a shattered man after failing to break into the Indian team for the upcoming Test series against Australia. Not one to give up, the Mumbai run-machine sent the national selectors yet another reminder on Tuesday, notching up his third century in the ongoing edition of Ranji Trophy to extend his astonishing run in the Indian domestic circuit. That Mumbai could make 293 before being bowled out on the first day of their Group B match against traditional rivals Delhi, was largely due to the 25-year-old’s 125 off 155 balls at the Feroz Shah Kotla. The innings was a timely one, coming barely days after his snub for the high-profile four-match series against a formidable Australian team. The prolific batter not being picked for the Indian team has been a subject of an intense debate for the past two days. When his team needed him the most, he responded to the call and reached one of his most significant tons with a nudge for a single. Sarfaraz then took off his helmet, did the signature thigh-five celebration, and gestured towards his teammates on the boundary line. It was not an easy outing as Sarfaraz came in to bat with his team in a spot of bother at 62 for three, replacing his 17-year-old brother Musheer. He then saw skipper Ajinkya Rahane making his way back to the dressing room after being dismissed by medium pacer Pranshu Vijayran to leave Mumbai at 66 for four. Wicketkeeper Prasad Pawar (25) got out after getting a start, paving the way for a sixth-wicket stand of 144 runs between Sarfaraz and Shams Mulani (39). Vijayran (4/66) was the most successful bowler on the day for Delhi, while there were two wickets apiece for Harshit Rana and Yogesh Sharma. (PTI)
Anustup leads fight back for Bengal
Rohtak, Jan 17: Veteran Bengal batter Anustup Majumdar scored an unbeaten 137 – his 12th first-class century – as the visitors made a strong start in their Ranji Trophy Group A match against Haryana here on Tuesday. With Bengal in prime spot to make it to the Ranji quarter-finals as they are leading the group with 25 points, the 38-year-old Majumdar gave them a solid start, guiding them to 335 for six on day one of the match at the Chaudhary Bansi Lal Cricket Stadium in Lahli. Abhimanyu Easwaran (57) and wicket-keeper Abhishek Porel (49) were the other key contributors for Bengal as the group leaders made the hosts toil, scoring at a healthy rate of 3.72 runs per over. Harshal Patel was the most successful Haryana bowler, grabbing three wickets for 60 runs in his 18 overs, even as the hosts utilised seven bowlers to restrict Bengal, but to no avail. (PTI)