Sarfaraz Khan: Indian domestic cricket delivered another gripping day of action as standout individual performances with both bat and ball defined proceedings across multiple venues. At the heart of the day’s talking points was Sarfaraz Khan, whose commanding unbeaten century reinforced his reputation as one of the most consistent and dangerous batters in the domestic circuit. Alongside crucial contributions from Siddhesh Lad, Venkatesh Iyer, Sudip Chatterjee, and several others, the day saw teams seize momentum, recover from collapses, and set up intriguing contests heading into the next phase of play.
From Mumbai’s dominance with the bat to dramatic collapses, late-order resistance, and spin-led bowling masterclasses, the day provided a comprehensive showcase of India’s domestic depth and competitive balance.
Sarfaraz Khan and Siddhesh Lad Put Mumbai Firmly in Control
Mumbai enjoyed one of the most authoritative batting performances of the day, thanks largely to Sarfaraz Khan and captain Siddhesh Lad, who combined to wrest control after early setbacks. Their partnership not only stabilized the innings but also turned the match decisively in Mumbai’s favour.
After a steady opening stand of 60 runs, Mumbai suddenly found themselves under pressure, losing three wickets in quick succession for just 22 runs. The turning point came when Sarfaraz Khan walked in, joining his skipper Siddhesh Lad at the crease. What followed was a batting exhibition built on composure, intelligent shot selection, and relentless scoreboard pressure.
The duo batted for close to 50 overs, forging a mammoth 249-run partnership for the fourth wicket, completely neutralizing the opposition attack.
Key Batting Highlights – Mumbai Innings
| Player | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sarfaraz Khan | 142* | 170 | 9 | 4 | 83.74 |
| Siddhesh Lad | 104 | 179 | 10 | 2 | 58.10 |
Sarfaraz Khan played with a controlled aggression, frequently rotating strike and punishing loose deliveries. His unbeaten 142 was a statement knock, underlining his readiness for higher honours and reinforcing his standing as a domestic heavyweight.
Lad, on the other hand, played the anchor role to perfection. His century came off 179 balls, allowing Sarfaraz the freedom to dictate the tempo. Lad’s innings eventually ended when he was trapped leg-before by Rohit Rayudu, but by then the damage had been done.
Mumbai closed the day on 332 for 4, firmly in command and poised to post a formidable first-innings total.
Venkatesh Iyer Anchors Madhya Pradesh on a Balanced Day in Alur
At Alur, the contest between Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka unfolded evenly, with momentum shifting throughout the day. Venkatesh Iyer stood out with a composed knock that kept Madhya Pradesh competitive despite periodic breakthroughs by the opposition.
After losing both openers following a solid 50-run partnership between Yash Dubey and Himanshu Mantri, MP needed stability. Iyer provided exactly that.
His innings of 87 runs, studded with crisp stroke play, was the backbone of MP’s total as they reached 244 for 5 by stumps.
Madhya Pradesh – Key Batting Contributions
| Player | Runs |
|---|---|
| Venkatesh Iyer | 87 |
| Shubham Sharma | 33 |
| Rajat Patidar | 30 |
Iyer stitched together important partnerships — first a 75-run stand with Shubham Sharma and later a half-century partnership with Rajat Patidar. Both partnerships ended at identical team scores, reflecting how closely fought the session was.
For Karnataka, Vyshak Vijaykumar and Shreyas Gopal claimed two wickets each, ensuring the contest remained evenly balanced heading into Day 2.
Tamil Nadu Build Competitive Total Despite Missed Opportunities
Tamil Nadu’s innings was one of extremes, characterized by multiple half-centuries but a lack of conversion into a commanding score. They ended the day on 281 for 7, a total that promised much more at one stage.
Four batters crossed the fifty-run mark, showcasing depth in the batting order, but none managed to push on for a century.
Tamil Nadu – Batting Summary
| Player | Runs |
|---|---|
| Pradosh Ranjan Paul | 78 |
| Andre Siddarth C | 56 |
| Nidish Rajagopal | 54* |
| Athish SR | 50 |
Rajagopal remained unbeaten at stumps and was the only batter still capable of extending the innings meaningfully. Odisha’s bowlers, apart from Badal Biswal, shared wickets evenly, ensuring Tamil Nadu never fully broke free.
Yash Rathod Rescues Vidarbha After Early Collapse
Defending champions Vidarbha were in deep trouble early on after slumping to 45 for 4, but a resolute innings from Yash Rathod turned the tide.
Batting with composure and maturity, Rathod remained unbeaten on 104, shepherding the lower middle order and guiding Vidarbha to 267 for 7.
Vidarbha – Key Partnerships
| Partnership | Runs |
|---|---|
| Rathod & Rohit Binkar | 37 |
| Rathod & Darshan Nalkande | 36 |
For Andhra, K S Narasimha Raju was the standout bowler, finishing with impressive figures of 4 for 51, keeping the contest alive.
Jharkhand Dominate in Lucknow with Near-Perfect Day
Jharkhand enjoyed one of their best days of the tournament in Lucknow, ending on 279 for 1 and firmly in control.
Sharandeep Singh led the charge with a magnificent unbeaten 128, striking 15 boundaries and displaying exceptional fluency.
Jharkhand – Batting Highlights
| Player | Runs |
|---|---|
| Sharandeep Singh | 128* |
| Shikhar Mohan | 78 |
| Aryaman Sen | 68* |
Only Vipraj Nigam managed to break through for Uttar Pradesh, as Jharkhand’s batters dictated terms throughout the day.
Bengal’s Openers Lay the Foundation for a Dominant Display
Bengal also enjoyed a productive day with the bat, closing at 340 for 4 against Services. Openers Sudip Chatterjee and Abhimanyu Easwaran provided a rock-solid start with a 151-run opening partnership.
Chatterjee went on to score an unbeaten 140, anchoring the innings with authority.
Bengal – Batting Scorecard Snapshot
| Player | Runs |
|---|---|
| Sudip Chatterjee | 140* |
| Abhimanyu Easwaran | 81 |
| Shahbaz Ahmed | 38 |
| Sumanta Gupta | 31* |
The depth of Bengal’s batting ensured they capitalized fully on their strong start.
Ayush Doheja’s Heroics Rescue Delhi from the Brink
One of the most dramatic recoveries of the day came from Delhi, who were reeling at 119 for 9 before Ayush Doheja produced a remarkable counterattack.
Doheja’s unbeaten 104 and a crucial 97-run last-wicket partnership with Money Grewal (35) lifted Delhi to 216, keeping them competitive.
Chhattisgarh responded calmly, reaching 52 without loss before stumps.
Bowlers Steal the Spotlight: Spin Dominance Across Venues
While batters dominated many matches, several bowlers delivered match-shaping spells, particularly spinners who exploited helpful conditions.
Rajkot: Spin Wrecks Havoc
In Rajkot, a dramatic opening day saw 23 wickets fall, setting up a potential early finish.
- Harpreet Brar: 6 for 38
- Parth Bhut: 5 for 33
Saurashtra were dismissed for 172, Punjab collapsed for 139, and the hosts ended the day on 24 for 3 with a 57-run lead.
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Chandigarh Outplay Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala suffered a stunning collapse from 95 for 2 to 139 all out.
| Bowler | Figures |
|---|---|
| Nishunk Birla | 4 wickets |
| Rohit Dhanda | 3 wickets |
Chandigarh responded strongly, ending the day on 142 for 1, led by Arjun Azad (78*) and Manan Vohra (51*).
Jalaj Saxena Spins Maharashtra into Control
In Pune, Jalaj Saxena produced a classic off-spin performance, claiming 6 for 79 as Goa were dismissed for 209.
Maharashtra finished the day safely at 19 for 0, well positioned to build on the advantage.
Sarfaraz Khan Continues to Strengthen His Case
Among all the performances, Sarfaraz Khan’s unbeaten century stood out not just for its quality, but for its context. Coming in at a critical juncture, he transformed a fragile situation into one of dominance, once again highlighting his temperament, consistency, and hunger for runs.
As domestic cricket continues to serve as the backbone of Indian talent development, performances like these reaffirm why players such as Sarfaraz Khan remain central to conversations about the future of Indian batting.
With several matches delicately poised and others tilting decisively, the coming days promise even more drama, resilience, and excellence across India’s domestic cricket landscape.
