Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Four players hit fifties as Delhi dominates Himachal on Day 1
On the first day of its first home game of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, Delhi took advantage of a placid pitch to get into a dominant position against Himachal Pradesh.
At the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday, Arpit Rana, Sanat Sangwan, Yash Dhull and Ayush Doseja scored half-centuries as the host reached 306 for four in 86 overs at Stumps.
If there was a tinge of frustration from the day’s proceedings for Delhi, it would be Rana, Sangwan and Dhull not converting their starts into three-figure scores. But the 23-year-old Doseja, who is unbeaten on 51, has an opportunity to go big when play resumes on Sunday morning.
The left-handed batter smashed a double hundred against Hyderabad in the previous round on his First Class debut.
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The tone for the day was set by Rana and Sangwan, who combined for a solid opening stand of 103 runs. Rana may have been under some pressure going into the contest — his eight innings in this format had yielded just 84 runs at an average of 10.5 — but the 21-year-old managed to overcome his jitters and contribute 64 off 110 balls.
Sangwan and Dhull built on the platform, adding 93 runs for the second wicket.
While Sangwan’s patience over long periods was again on display, Dhull was in a punishing mood. The No. 3 struck some exquisite boundaries on his way to a 66-ball 61.
When he was caught by wicketkeeper Ankush Bains off Arpit Guleria, Himachal strung together a good period by also claiming the wickets of Ayush Badoni and Sangwan in quick succession. Badoni made just 15 before falling to Vaibhav Arora.
At 235 for four, the onus was on Doseja and Sumit Mathur to wrest control in the final session. And two left-hand batters delivered, putting together an unbroken stand of 71 runs for the fifth wicket.
Published on Oct 25, 2025
