NEWS
Follow UsMayank Agarwal's poor run of form continued in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinals as the Karnataka batter was out for 10 in the quarterfinal clash against Uttar Pradesh on Monday.
Agarwal, who led Punjab Kings in IPL 2022, managed just 196 runs from 13 innings at a strike rate of 122.5. Put in to bat first by UP, Mayank played 41 deliveries before being dismissed by Shivam Mavi in the 13th over.
The opening batter has managed just 81 runs in the last five Test innings he played for India. Mayank, who opened the innings in absence of captain Rohit Sharma against South Africa, managed to score one fifty across six innings in the series.
Uttar Pradesh bowlers dominated the first day of the match at the Alur Ground in Bengaluru as left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar scalped four wickets for 67 runs.
Pacer Shivam Mavi was the second bowler for UP with 3-40 which included the top-order wickets of Karun Nair and K. Siddharth to leave Karnataka reeling at 213/7 at stumps. Mavi, who is yet to make his India debut, claimed six wickets from five matches for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2022.
Shaw, Jaiswal falter
Mumbai captain Prithvi Shaw, who has been sidelined for India's series against South Africa and the UK tour, was dismissed cheaply in their quarterfinal clash against Uttarakhand at Bengaluru.
Shaw, who has been named the side's skipper for the Ranji Trophy knock-out phases, had a good IPL 2022 with Delhi Capitals with 283 runs from 10 innings at a strike rate of 153. The right-hander last played for India in July, 2021 against Sri Lanka.
After electing to bat first at the Alur Ground-II, Shaw and young left-hander Yashaswi Jaiswal managed to put 36 runs. Medium-pacer Deepak Dhapola cleaned up Shaw and then got the wicket of Jaiswal who played a quick 45-ball 35 consisting six boundaries.
However, Mumbai were rescued by a 112-run partnership between Armaan Jaffer (60) and Suved Parkar (104 not out) as they ended the day strongly at 304/3. Another DC batter Sarfaraz Khan remained not out on 69 as he added 182 runs for the fourth wicket with Parkar.
Gill falters, Abhishek rescues Punjab
Indian opening batter Shubman Gill's return to first-class cricket was a lukewarm one. Opening for Punjab alongside Sunrisers Hyderabad's Abhishek Sharma, Gill was dismissed for nine runs by Madhya Pradesh seamer Puneet Datey in the fifth over.
Gill last played in the home Test series against New Zealand where he scored 144 runs from four innings including a fifty in the first Test at Kanpur. The right hander was left out of the series against South Africa due to an injury before he returned to competitive cricket with Gujarat Titans in IPL 2022. He amassed 483 runs from 16 innings including four fifties as Titans clinched the title in their debut season.
Gill was named in India's Test squad for the rescheduled Test at Edbaston from July 1-5.
On a day dominated by the bowlers at the Alur Ground-III, Abhishek batted with composure as he scored five boundaries and two sixes in his 47 off 72 balls. The Punjab captain was the top scorer alongside Anmolpreet Singh (47) with whom he added 81 runs for the second wicket.
Punjab were all out for 219 in their first innings as Anubhav Agarwal and Puneet Datey claimed three wickets apiece.
Jharkhand toil against Bengal
Sudip Gharami scored an unbeaten 106 while captain Abhimanyu Easwaran (65) and Anustup Mazumdar (85 not out) contributed fifties as Bengal started the quarterfinal against Jharkhand on a strong note.
Gharami and Majumdar added an unbeaten 178 for the second wicket after opener Abhishek Raman (41) retired hurt. Royal Challengers Bangalore allrounder Shahbaz Nadeem bowled 25 overs and went wicketless as Bengal ended Day 1 at the Just Cricket Academy Ground in Bengaluru at 310/1.
