Shreyas slams ton, sends strong message to selectors

Shreyas Iyer is on fire in the 2024 Ranji Trophy. The talented Mumbai batter has been in exceptional form, recently smashing his second consecutive century against Odisha at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy on Wednesday.

Shreyas is on 152 not out and powered Mumbai to a dominating 385/3 against Odisha in their Elite Group A clash's first day.

After waiting nearly three years for a first-class hundred, Iyer’s form has surged; his century in October broke that dry spell, and now he's added two more in quick succession.

In the match against Odisha, Iyer scored a quick-fire century off 101 balls, capitalising on an underwhelming bowling display.

His 15th first-class hundred and second consecutive ton in this Ranji season is a clear testament to his determination.

Notably, the 29-year-old kept himself sharp even after missing the last Test against Tripura, practicing intensely in the nets to stay in peak form.

Mumbai’s innings started with a solid 92 from Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who narrowly missed his maiden Ranji hundred.

Skipper Ajinkya Rahane, however, was dismissed for a golden duck, and opener Ayush Mhatre managed only 18 runs.

Despite early setbacks, Iyer joined forces with Siddhesh Lad, and the duo’s 150-plus run partnership showcased their ability to dominate Odisha’s bowling attack.

With his strong performances, Iyer is making a compelling case for a recall to the Indian Test side. Last seen in the Test squad against England in early 2024, Iyer is proving his value once again.

His last international hundred, during the 2021 Kanpur Test against New Zealand, feels like a distant memory, but this Ranji resurgence could help revive his Test ambitions.

Iyer’s form in the Ranji Trophy serves as a crucial confidence booster as he aims to solidify his place in both domestic and international cricket.

In another Group A clash in Pune, the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium's pitch turned out to be a batting-friendly surface as Services reached 239/4 at stumps on the opening day against Maharashtra.

While openers Suraj Vashisht (79 off 191 balls, 9x4s, 1x6s) and Shubham Rohilla (67 off 132 balls, 9x4s) added 128 for the opening wicket, Ravi Chauhan hit a 130-ball 59 with five fours and two sixes to consolidate for the visitors.

At the MCA Ground in Shillong, the hosts Meghalaya were in trouble against Jammu and Kashmir who produced an all-round show to be ahead by 52 runs at the close of play.

Jammu and Kashmir bowlers Auqib Nabi (9-3-14-5) and Abid Mushtaq (15.3-5-19-5) wreaked havoc as the hosts were shot out for a mere 73 in 16 overs, with openers Bamanbha Shangpliang (21) and Arpit Subhas (24) being the only ones to resist.

In reply, Akash Kumar (3/39) lead the fightback for Meghalaya but the hosts had too little to defend in the first innings as Jammu and Kashmir took a vital first-innings lead.

Only 51 overs were bowled in the contest between Baroda and Tripura as Atit Sheth's unbeaten 74, with eight fours and one six, took the visitors to 157 for four.

Brief scores:

At Mumbai: Mumbai 385/3 in 90 overs (Angkrish Raghuvanshi 92, Siddhesh Lad 116*, Shreyas Iyer 152*; Biplab Samantaray 2/36) vs Odisha.

At Pune: Services 239/4 in 90 overs (Suraj Vashisht 79, Shubham Rohilla 67, Ravi Chauhan 59; Mukesh Choudhary 1/34) vs Maharashtra.

At Shillong: Meghalaya 73 in 16 overs (Bamanbha Shangpliang 21, Arpit Subhas 24; Auqib Nabi 5/14, Abid Mushtaq 5/19) trail Jammu and Kashmir 125/6 in 37 overs (Abdul Samad 34, Sahil Lotra 19*, Akash Kumar 3/39) by 52 runs.

At Agartala: Baroda 157/4 in 51 overs (Jyotsnil Singh 46, Atit Sheth 74*; Abhijit Sarkar 3/52) vs Tripura.