Ranji Trophy Round 5 Delivers Spectacular Performances
The fifth round of Ranji Trophy action concluded on Wednesday with several standout performances that captivated cricket fans across India. From career-best innings to match-winning bowling spells, the elite domestic tournament showcased the depth of talent in Indian cricket.
Star Batters Dominate Across Venues
Rinku Singh, the Indian T20I star, smashed his career-best 176 for Uttar Pradesh against Tamil Nadu in a Group A encounter. The left-handed batter displayed remarkable consistency, facing 247 deliveries and hitting 17 fours and six sixes at a strike rate of over 71. His heroic effort helped UP secure a draw after they had trailed by 84 runs initially.
Meanwhile, Yash Dhull, the U19 World Cup-winning captain, announced his return to form with a magnificent 189 for Delhi against Rajasthan. His brilliant 242-ball knock, featuring 27 boundaries and two sixes, helped Delhi avoid an innings defeat and secure a draw in their Group D clash.
Bowling Heroes Make Their Mark
In Group D, Jammu and Kashmir's Abid Mushtaq delivered a match-winning performance with his seven-wicket haul (7/68) against Hyderabad. His exceptional bowling helped bundle out Hyderabad for 190 runs, securing a massive 281-run victory for his team.
Vidarbha's Darshan Nalkande also impressed with his 5/12 against Baroda, playing a crucial role in defending champions' 144-run victory. His devastating spell wiped out Baroda's lower order as they were skittled out for 131 runs while chasing 276.
Group Standings Take Shape
After five rounds of intense competition, the group standings have started to crystallize. In Group A, Vidarbha leads with 25 points, followed by Andhra Pradesh with 22 points. Group B sees Karnataka at the top with 21 points, with Maharashtra close behind at 18 points.
Group C is dominated by Bengal with 23 points and Services with 19 points, while Group D features Mumbai leading with 24 points and Jammu & Kashmir in second place with 20 points.
Notable All-Round Performances
Bengal's Shahbaz Ahmed produced an outstanding all-round display against Assam, scoring 101 runs and taking 4/57 to earn the Player of the Match award. His contributions have been consistent throughout the season, with 300 runs and 22 wickets in four matches.
Mumbai's comprehensive innings victory over Puducherry was built on Siddesh Lad's magnificent 170 and supporting centuries from Akash Anand (107) and valuable contributions from multiple batters. The team collectively posted 630/5 declared before bowling out Puducherry twice.
IPL star Abdul Samad showcased his power-hitting abilities with a hard-hitting 125 for Jammu and Kashmir against Hyderabad. His 200-ball innings, containing 10 fours and six sixes, proved instrumental in setting up his team's commanding victory.
Emerging Talent on Display
The tournament continues to serve as a perfect platform for young talents to showcase their skills. Rinku Singh's first-class record remains exceptional with 3,677 runs in 52 matches at an impressive average of 59.30, including nine centuries and 22 fifties.
Yash Dhull has accumulated 434 runs in five matches at an average of 48.22, while Vidarbha's Yash Rathod continues his solid form with 474 runs in five matches at an astonishing average of 118.50.
As the Ranji Trophy progresses, these performances underline the healthy state of India's domestic cricket structure and the abundance of talent waiting for national team opportunities.
