Sharandeep Singh's Red-Ball Masterclass Puts Jharkhand in Control Against Uttar Pradesh
In a commanding display of red-ball cricket, Jharkhand opener Sharandeep Singh underlined his Test ambitions with a patient unbeaten century, steering his side to a dominant position against Uttar Pradesh on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy encounter at the Ekana International Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Thursday.
A Dream Realized Through Grit and Determination
After the day's play, Sharandeep expressed his aspirations, stating, "My dream is to play for India in white. I am very fond of red ball cricket." His words were backed by a stellar performance that saw Jharkhand reach 279 for 1 at stumps, after UP won the toss and opted to field—a decision that backfired spectacularly as the home attack struggled to make inroads.
Sharandeep remained unbeaten on 128 runs, compiling his innings off 269 deliveries with 15 fours. His century, which came off 225 balls, was scored in challenging home conditions for UP, and he anchored Jharkhand's innings through all three sessions, showcasing remarkable resilience and technique.
Solid Opening Partnership Sets the Tone
Jharkhand's strong platform was laid by the opening partnership between Sharandeep and Shikhar Mohan. The pair added 147 runs in 263 balls, effectively blunting the new ball and forcing UP to rotate bowlers without reward. Mohan contributed a brisk 78 off 123 balls, registering his second first-class fifty, and struck 10 boundaries along with two sixes to provide the early momentum.
The only breakthrough for Uttar Pradesh came after lunch when spinner Vipraj Nigam ended the opening stand by trapping Mohan lbw at 147 for 1 in 43.3 overs. This offered UP a brief opening to claw back into the contest, but Jharkhand consolidated immediately.
Unbroken Partnership Extends Dominance
Following Mohan's dismissal, Aryaman Sen joined Sharandeep, and the duo ensured there were no further setbacks. By stumps, they had put on an unbroken 132-run partnership off 255 balls, taking Jharkhand to a commanding position. UP's bowlers, despite early assistance suggested by the toss decision, finished the day with only Nigam's wicket to show for their efforts.
Preparation and Team Morale Key to Success
Sharandeep credited Jharkhand's preparation and support staff for keeping players match-ready despite limited opportunities in white-ball games. He revealed he had not played competitive matches for two months but remained in training with the Vijay Hazare squad. He highlighted head coach Ratan Kumar's role in running practice sessions on off days, covering batting, bowling, and fielding.
Additionally, he noted that the Jharkhand Cricket Association arranged recent practice on the centre wicket at the JSA Stadium, which helped the team transition smoothly into the Ranji Trophy. On team confidence, Sharandeep said Jharkhand's morale remained high after winning the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, adding that the dressing-room environment was positive, with seniors being supportive.
UP's Struggles and Injury Woes
UP head coach Arvind Kapoor admitted that the decision to field was influenced by visible grass and moisture on the pitch but conceded the bowling performance did not meet expectations. He said the fast-bowling unit lacked effectiveness and noted UP played with two pacers and three spinners.
Compounding UP's troubles, the team suffered two injury setbacks on the opening day. All-rounder Prashant Veer injured his right shoulder while fielding at mid-on during the 30th over of Jharkhand's innings. He was taken to hospital for scans, with a senior UPCA official assessing it as a grade 2 shoulder injury, ruling him out of the match and expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks.
Leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari, named in the Ranji Trophy squad after a five-year gap, also faces uncertainty after suffering a groin injury during practice sessions. He missed selection in the playing XI due to the issue, despite recently earning a place in the 21-member squad with a strong performance.
As Day 1 concluded, Jharkhand's dominant position, bolstered by Sharandeep's century and a solid team effort, sets the stage for an intriguing continuation of this Ranji Trophy clash, while UP must regroup to address both bowling and injury challenges.
