Raj Sharma's Century Leads Rajasthan U-23 to Draw Against Odisha in CK Nayudu Trophy

Raj Sharma's Brilliant Century Secures Draw for Rajasthan U-23 Against Odisha

In a thrilling display of batting prowess, Rajasthan's Raj Sharma crafted a magnificent unbeaten century to ensure his team secured a draw against Odisha in the four-day Col CK Nayudu U-23 Trophy Elite match. The encounter concluded at the KL Saini Stadium in Jaipur on Monday, with Rajasthan finishing their second innings at 232 for the loss of 5 wickets.

Sharma's Stellar Performance and Milestone Achievement

Raj Sharma remained not out on 101 runs, facing 158 balls and striking 10 fours and 2 sixes. His innings was pivotal in steering Rajasthan to safety after a challenging contest. Notably, this century propelled Sharma to a historic milestone, as he became the first batsman to amass 2000 runs for Rajasthan in the U-23 CK Nayudu Trophy. Achieving this feat in just 25 matches, Sharma has scored 8 centuries, showcasing his consistent excellence at this level.

Supporting Roles and Bowling Efforts

All-rounder Ganesh Suthar provided valuable support with a solid contribution of 77 runs, forming a crucial partnership with Sharma. On the bowling front, Odisha's Soumya Ranjan managed to take 2 wickets for 31 runs, but his efforts were not enough to secure a victory for his side. The match ultimately ended in a draw, highlighting the competitive spirit of both teams.

Rajasthan's Batting Legacy in the U-23 Trophy

Beyond Sharma's achievement, Rajasthan has seen other notable performers in the U-23 Trophy. Karan Lamba has scored 1569 runs in 24 matches, while Sumit Godara has accumulated 1460 runs in 15 matches. These players have contributed significantly to Rajasthan's batting strength over the years, making them a formidable team in the tournament.

Upcoming Fixtures and Squad Announcement

Looking ahead, Rajasthan's next match in the Col CK Nayudu Trophy is scheduled against Vidarbha in Nagpur, starting from February 6. In preparation for this and other upcoming matches, the Rajasthan U-23 squad has been announced. The team includes: