Published: Nov 18, 2017, 05:40 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 18, 2017, 05:39 PM (IST)
If Day One was raining wickets, it was batsmen’s day out on Day Two, Round 6 of Ranji Trophy 2017-18. India’s regular batters continued to flourish with both bat and ball. Some budding cricketers, too, pitched in with their performance.
Let us see how Day 2 panned out for the big guns.
Manish Pandey: The middle-order batsman carried his stupendous form on Day 2 smashing his fourth First-Class double-century. His double ton came off 231 deliveries that featured 29 fours and 2 sixes. In the process to his double-century, Pandey surpassed his previous best score of 218. He was, however, dismissed for 238. He also put up a mammoth partnership with Nischal Dega (354), who missed his double-ton by 5 runs.
Priyank Panchal: Gujarat’s opener is back with runs. He notched up 151, 14th First-Class century, keeping Gujarat in a commanding position over Rajasthan. In the process, he built crucial partnerships with Bhargav Merai for 179. Panchal’s last century (145) came against Saurashtra in the previous round.
Ishant Sharma: Released from the India squad, skipper Ishant Sharma proved lucky for Delhi. He claimed the wickets of top-order batsmen – Ruturaj Gaikwad, MS Trunkwala and Rahul Tripathi – within 4 overs, ending the day with figures of 3 for 14.
Tamil Nadu faced torrid time without their mainstay player Ravichandran Ashwin. Washington Sundar and Abhinav Mukund were gone cheaply. Sundar had scored 69 and 159 in the previous two games. Meanwhile, Mukund’s poor form in Ranji continued as he was gone for 5 against Madhya Pradesh.
Amit Mishra, though economical with his bowling, was unable to grasp wickets against Jammu & Kashmir.
Dhawal Kulkarni, who is itching to make his entry in the Indian squad, emerged as a saviour for Mumbai. He brought up his sixth First-Class century, taking Mumbai’s score to 332 against Andhra.
Gujarat skipper Parthiv Patel, who is eager to lift the Ranji Trophy for the second time, carried forward the momentum after Panchal’s wicket. He brought up his century and also built a crucial partnership with Merai of 174 runs.
