Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Gritty Sangwan shows way for Delhi on tough opening day against Pondicherry
As an opening batter in First-Class cricket, Sanat Sangwan belongs more to the classical mould.
At the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday, the left-hand batter’s grit and sturdy defence came in handy as he battled his way to 99, off 230 deliveries, on day one of the Elite Group-D Ranji Trophy fixture between Delhi and Pondicherry. Sangwan’s knock was the platform on which the home team reached 248 for six in 80 overs on a testing day for its batters.
Sumit Mathur, unbeaten on 49 at Stumps, played his part for Delhi in a partnership of 106 runs with Sangwan.
For Pondicherry, medium-pacer Abin Mathew struck thrice. He denied Sangwan a century late in the day, shrewdly offering a wide, full ball to entice the 25-year-old into a drive that took the outside edge.
Sangwan, who took 36 balls to get off the mark, was complemented ably by debutant Priyansh Arya (in picture) in a 64-run stand for the third wicket.
| Photo Credit:
SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR
Sangwan, who took 36 balls to get off the mark, was complemented ably by debutant Priyansh Arya (in picture) in a 64-run stand for the third wicket.
| Photo Credit:
SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR
With visiting skipper Sagar Udeshi opting to bowl, the opening session was a case of the seamers holding sway. The pair of Gourav Yadav and Mathew found movement with the new ball, and tested the techniques of Delhi’s top-order. Arpit Rana succumbed leg-before without opening his account to an in-swinging delivery from Mathew in the second over of the innings.
While Yash Dhull struck a couple of crisp boundaries through the off-side, an attempted cut off seamer Aman Khan went awry in the 19th over.
Sangwan, who took 36 balls to get off the mark, was complemented ably by debutant Priyansh Arya in a 64-run stand for the third wicket. It didn’t take long for Priyansh to demonstrate his aggressive strokeplay, a feature of his game in the shorter formats. He raced to 40 off 28 deliveries after smashing veteran offie Jayant Yadav for two consecutive sixes through long-off. But before the southpaw could inflict more damage, Jayant drew Priyansh forward and beat his outside edge to get him stumped.
Published on Nov 01, 2025
