The fourth round of the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 season kicked off with several compelling individual performances lighting up stadiums across India on Tuesday. Day 1 of the prestigious domestic tournament was headlined by a determined century from a seasoned campaigner, a maiden first-class hundred from a promising youngster, and a brilliant bowling spell that rattled a top-order.
Vihari's Gritty Ton Anchors Andhra
Andhra captain Hanuma Vihari led from the front with a resolute, unbeaten century against Bengal in Group B. Choosing to bat first, Andhra found themselves in a spot of bother, but Vihari stood firm, crafting an innings of patience and skill. He remained not out on 100 from 249 deliveries, an innings that included 10 boundaries. His knock was crucial in steering Andhra to a respectable total of 242 for 5 at the close of play on the first day.
Musheer Khan Joins the Centurion's Club
In a moment of personal triumph, Mumbai's young batting prodigy Musheer Khan scored his maiden first-class century against a formidable Uttar Pradesh bowling attack. The left-handed batter, who had already impressed with his all-round show in the recent Under-19 World Cup, converted his start into a substantial score. He was eventually dismissed for a well-made 114 runs, helping Mumbai post a competitive first-innings total.
Aquib's Fifer Puts Baroda on Top
The most dominant bowling performance of the day came from Baroda's Aquib. The bowler single-handedly dismantled the Madhya Pradesh batting lineup, finishing with an impressive five-wicket haul. His figures of 5 for 43 in 15 overs were instrumental in skittling Madhya Pradesh out for a paltry 149. In reply, Baroda ended the day at 22 for no loss, firmly in control of the match.
Other Notable Highlights from Across Grounds
While these three performances stole the spotlight, several other matches saw significant action. In the Plate Group, Mizoram's Joseph Lalthankhuma played a blistering knock of 106 off just 87 balls against Nagaland. Jharkhand's Kumar Suraj also made a strong contribution with a century against Delhi, while Services' Rajat Paliwal scored an unbeaten 102. With the ball, Tripura's Rana Dutta and Manipur's Rex Rajkumar stood out with four-wicket hauls.
The opening day of this round has set the stage for intriguing contests ahead, with teams looking to consolidate their positions in the group standings. The centuries from established players like Vihari and emerging talents like Musheer Khan highlight the depth of batting talent in the Indian domestic circuit, while Aquib's fifer is a reminder of the potent bowling threats present in the tournament.
