Debutant Deepak Choudhary Shines as Rajasthan Post 168 Against Puducherry
In a thrilling opening day of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group D match at Siechem Stadium in Puducherry, debutant Deepak Choudhary emerged as the hero for Rajasthan with a brilliant all-round performance. The 28-year-old cricketer played a crucial knock of 64 runs off just 71 balls, rescuing his team from a precarious position of 107 for 7 to help them reach a respectable total of 168 all out.
Choudhary's Fighting Innings Salvages Rajasthan's Pride
Coming in to bat at number 8 when Rajasthan were struggling at 107 for 7, Deepak Choudhary displayed remarkable composure and aggression. His innings included nine boundaries and two sixes, providing much-needed momentum to the Rajasthan innings. This fighting half-century not only boosted the team's total but also showcased his potential as a valuable lower-order batsman.
Rajasthan's Batting Woes and Puducherry's Bowling Dominance
While Choudhary stood tall, other Rajasthan batters failed to make significant contributions. Deepak Hooda managed 36 runs, and opener Ramnivas Golada scored 31, but the top order collapsed dramatically. Captain Mahipal Lomror could only muster 1 run before departing, highlighting the team's batting vulnerabilities.
Puducherry's bowlers dominated proceedings, with off-spinner Karan Kannan claiming an impressive 5 wickets for 37 runs. Left-arm spinner Sagar Udeshi supported him well with 3 wickets for 54 runs. Their combined effort of eight wickets restricted Rajasthan to just 168 runs in 61.1 overs after they opted to bat first.
Puducherry's Steady Response and Choudhary's Bowling Impact
In reply, Puducherry made a steady start, reaching 77 for 2 in 28 overs at stumps on Day 1. Neyan Kangayan remained unbeaten on 41, while Ragavan was not out on 20, putting the hosts just 91 runs behind with eight wickets in hand.
Deepak Choudhary continued his impressive debut by making an impact with the ball as well. The medium-pacer provided Rajasthan with an early breakthrough by dismissing Puducherry opener Ajay Rohera in his second over, finishing with figures of 1 for 14.
Another Debutant Makes His Mark
Mohit Changra, another debutant for Rajasthan, also opened his wicket-taking account in First-Class cricket. The left-arm spinner trapped R Jashwanth Shreeram in front of the wickets, claiming his first wicket and finishing with 1 for 15.
As the day concluded, Puducherry found themselves in a strong position at 77 for 2, needing just 91 more runs to take the first innings lead. The match promises an exciting second day as both teams look to gain the upper hand in this Ranji Trophy encounter.
Brief Scores: Rajasthan 168 in 61.1 overs (Deepak Choudhary 64, Deepak Hooda 36, Ramniwas Golada 31; Karan Kannan 5-37, Sagar Udeshi 3-54) vs Puducherry 77/2 in 28 overs (Neyan Kangayan 41*, Ragavan 20*; Deepak Choudhary 1-14, Mohit Changra 1-15).
