Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Siraj and Dubey Deliver Stellar Performances on Opening Day
The opening day of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season witnessed some exceptional bowling displays from seasoned internationals and emerging talents alike, setting the tone for what promises to be a thrilling domestic cricket campaign across India.
Mohammed Siraj Leads Hyderabad's Charge Against Chhattisgarh
At the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, India pacer Mohammed Siraj showcased his class with a captain's spell, claiming 4 wickets for 56 runs. His disciplined bowling attack helped Hyderabad bowl Chhattisgarh out for a total of 283 runs in just 72.3 overs. Siraj's ability to strike at crucial moments dismantled the Chhattisgarh batting lineup, putting his team in a commanding position early in the Group D encounter.
For the visitors, Prateek Yadav stood out with a magnificent century, scoring 106 runs, while Vikalp Tiwari provided solid support with a well-made 94 runs. Despite their efforts, Hyderabad's bowlers, led by Siraj, maintained pressure throughout the innings. In response, Hyderabad ended the day strongly at 56 for no loss in 15 overs, setting the stage for an exciting second day.
Harsh Dubey's Six-Wicket Haul Puts Vidarbha on Top
In Nagpur, defending champions Vidarbha enjoyed a dominant start to their Group A fixture against Uttar Pradesh, thanks to a brilliant six-wicket haul from spinner Harsh Dubey. Dubey's figures of 6 for 63 in 21.5 overs were instrumental in bowling Uttar Pradesh out for 237 runs in 68.5 overs. His variations and control on a turning track left the opposition batsmen struggling for answers.
Uttar Pradesh's innings was anchored by Dhruv Jurel, who top-scored with a brisk 96 off 122 balls, and Shivam Mavi, who contributed 47 runs. However, Dubey's relentless attack ensured Vidarbha seized the initiative. At stumps, Vidarbha were comfortably placed at 33 for no loss in 12 overs, looking to build a substantial lead on Day 2.
Other Key Matches Across Groups
The action-packed day saw several other intriguing contests unfold across the country:
- Group A: In Salem, Baroda posted 247/5 against Tamil Nadu, with Pandey (73) and Rathva (66) leading the charge. In Jamshedpur, Odisha reached 242/6 versus Jharkhand, while in Sovima, Nagaland dominated with 322/6 against Andhra, thanks to Bist's unbeaten 160.
- Group B: Punjab scored 303/9 against Karnataka in Mohali, Goa made 279/8 versus Kerala in Porvorim, and in Indore, Madhya Pradesh were bowled out for 187, with Maharashtra at 52/2 in reply. Chandigarh managed only 136 against Saurashtra, who replied with 167/1.
- Group C: Gujarat were 267/7 against Tripura in Agartala, Services reached 174/3 versus Railways in Delhi, Uttarakhand stood at 279/3 against Assam in Dehradun, and Bengal were 168/5 against Haryana in Rohtak.
- Group D: Himachal Pradesh were all out for 168 against J&K in Nadaun, with J&K at 20/0 in reply, while Rajasthan were bowled out for 168 against Puducherry, who ended at 77/2.
These performances highlight the competitive spirit and depth of Indian domestic cricket, with players across teams stepping up to make their mark in the prestigious Ranji Trophy. As the tournament progresses, fans can expect more thrilling encounters and standout individual efforts that continue to shape the future of Indian cricket.
