In a thrilling encounter at the MCA-BKC Stadium, Delhi batsman Sanat Sangwan played a heroic innings to salvage his team's pride against arch-rivals Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 group stage. Sangwan's gritty century of 118 runs off 218 balls was the cornerstone of Delhi's total of 221, a score that seemed improbable given the challenging conditions and Mumbai's relentless bowling attack.
Sangwan's Kohli-Inspired Knock Steadies Delhi's Ship
Sanat Sangwan, who idolises Virat Kohli and mirrors his confident demeanor, emerged as Delhi's crisis man on a surface that heavily favored seamers in the first session. With Delhi reeling at 11 for 1 after Tushar Deshpande dismissed Dhruv Kaushik early, Sangwan took charge. He found support in debutant Vaibhav Kandpal, and together they navigated the tricky phase, punishing loose balls to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Mumbai's Bowling Prowess Tested by Sangwan's Resilience
Mumbai, led by captain Siddesh Lad, tried various strategies to break the partnership, including summoning ace spinner Shams Mulani. However, Sangwan's patience and technique shone through, even as dust and debris from a nearby construction site added to the challenges. Kandpal eventually fell to Mulani's leg-side trap, but Sangwan continued to anchor the innings, reaching his third hundred of the season with a neat front-foot drive through covers.
Awasthi's Five-Wicket Haul Turns the Tide
Seamer Mohit Awasthi, often underrated, showcased his skill by extracting seam movement and slippery pace to run through Delhi's inexperienced batting lineup. He grabbed three quick wickets, reducing Delhi from 146 for 2 to 152 for 5. Despite this collapse, Sangwan fought on, finding a sturdy ally in wicket-keeper Pranav Rajvanshi, who contributed 39 runs.
Delhi's Late Collapse and Mumbai's Response
Sangwan's resistance ended when he mistimed a shot off Mulani, caught spectacularly by Deshpande. Delhi's innings then crumbled, adding only 24 more runs to be all out for 221. Awasthi completed a memorable five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 5 for 62. In reply, Mumbai faced early trouble, losing opener Akash Anand to be 13 for 1 at stumps, setting up an intriguing second day.
Key Performances and Match Summary
Delhi Batting: Sanat Sangwan 118, Vaibhav Kandpal 32, Pranav Rajvanshi 39.
Mumbai Bowling: Mohit Awasthi 5 for 62, Tushar Deshpande 2 for 36, Shams Mulani 2 for 45.
Brief Score: Delhi 221 all out vs Mumbai 13 for 1.
This match highlights the intense rivalry between two powerhouses of Indian domestic cricket, with Sangwan's century standing out as a testament to his skill and determination under pressure.
