A blend of run-scoring desire and shot-making discipline, which will do no harm to their credentials in the classical format, was also on display at the Palam ‘B’ ground on Sunday as their swashbuckling centuries put Delhi in control against Gujarat on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group-C contest. Priyansh Arya and Ayush Badoni are in demand in white-ball cricket for their daredevilry.
It is hard to recall the host enjoying a day of such dominance in the recent past. The lone moment of despair for Priyansh came towards the fag end of play. The ball stayed a tad low, evading Priyansh’s willow to clatter into the stumps. If Priyansh pounced on anything short of a length, Badoni flourished with a range of delightful drives down the ground. The slow nature of the surface, as well as the uneven bounce on offer, didn’t deter either batter. The partnership was disturbed by Harshal, who removed Sanat and Yash Dhull in quick succession with full deliveries. The seamer’s influence also entailed a direct hit to run out Ayush Doseja. To Gujarat’s dismay, such moments were few and far between. The scores:
While Priyansh (199, 220b, 24×4, 6×6) nearly converted his maiden First Class century into a double ton, Badoni ended unbeaten on 115 off 149 deliveries. Their efforts took Delhi to 381 for four at stumps. One shy of what would have been a deserved double century in just his third Ranji appearance, the 25-year-old was castled by part-time off-spinner Manan Hingrajia. But by then, Priyansh and Badoni had done more than enough to deflate the morale of the visitor with an eminently watchable 234-run stand for the fourth wicket.
Priyansh, who had missed his side’s opening game due to his involvement in the one-day series between India-A and Australia-A in Puducherry, settled into his stride in a 67-run opening stand with Sanat Sangwan.
Toss: Delhi. Delhi — 1st innings: Priyansh Arya b Hingrajia 199, Sanat Sangwan c Urvil b Harshal 8, Yash Dhull c Trivedi b Harshal 10, Ayush Doseja (run out) 29, Ayush Badoni (batting) 115, Sumit Mathur (batting) 0; Extras (b-12, lb-7, w-1): 20; Total (for four wkts. in 84 overs): 381. Fall of wickets: 1-67, 2-87, 3-142, 4-376 Gujarat bowling: Gaja 15-3-65-0, Nagwaswalla 14-1-45-0, Harshal 12-0-66-2, Jaymeet 11-5-25-0, Desai 17-2-76-0, Hingrajia 7-1-32-1, Jayswal 8-0-53-0.