The best batters have the capacity to operate a gear or two below their optimum and still compile runs in the Ranji Trophy as inevitably as a tide returning to shore. Ayush Badoni’s double century on day two of Delhi’s Elite Group-C clash against Jharkhand conveyed that feeling.
Such was the measured manner in which the Delhi skipper registered an unbeaten 210 in his team’s imposing first-innings total of 515 for five declared at the JSCA International Stadium on Tuesday. The 26-year-old may not spring to mind as one of the most prolific run-scorers going around in India’s domestic system, but his numbers speak glowingly of his growing appetite. It was Badoni’s second successive double century, backing up his career-best effort of 217 in Delhi’s previous round against Gujarat.
Sumit Mathur was equally deserving of the spotlight. The southpaw stayed not out on 150, forging an uninterrupted 334-run stand with Badoni. From the moment both batters resumed on Delhi’s overnight total of 309 for five, the runs flowed like a torrent down a steep hill.
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Jharkhand’s bowlers looked so rudderless that Badoni and Mathur could have easily unlocked more personal milestones, but the visitors took the aggressive route by declaring midway through the second session. The decision was justified as Delhi’s attack found greater help from the pitch and reduced the host to 131 for four at stumps. Utkarsh Singh’s unbeaten 53 off 129 balls, containing crisp punches through point, was the lone act of defiance in reply.
In just the second over of Jharkhand’s innings, seamer Dev Lakra elicited a poke from Aryaman Sen outside off-stump for Yash Dhull to grab at first slip. The spinners also stepped up, with Hrithik Shokeen, Badoni and debutant left-arm spinner Aman Chaudhary snaring a wicket apiece. The latter’s maiden First-Class scalp, which came with 10 minutes left when Virat Singh’s lap-sweep lobbed to short leg, was the perfect end to a flawless day for Delhi.
SCORES
Delhi — 1st innings: Priyansh Arya b Quraishi 39, Sanat Sangwan b Utkarsh 37, Yash Dhull c & b Anukul 29, Ayush Doseja c Jatin b Quraishi 21, Ayush Badoni (not out) 210, Anuj Rawat b Utkarsh 18, Sumit Mathur (not out) 150; Extras (b-8, lb-2, nb-1): 11; Total (for five wkts. in 130 overs): 515
Fall of wickets: 1-56, 2-99, 3-123, 4-143, 5-181
Jharkhand bowling: Jatin 17-2-61-0, Shubh 6-0-28-0, Utkarsh 30-4-88-2, Aditya 19-1-93-0, Kounain Quraishi 20-0-100-2, Anukul 38-2-135-1
Jharkhand — 1st innings: Aryaman Sen c Dhull b Lakra 0, Sharandeep Singh c Priyansh b Shokeen 31, Utkarsh Singh (batting) 53, Shresht Sagar c Sangwan b Badoni 15, Virat Singh c Sangwan b Aman 21, Shubh Sharma (batting) 6; Extras (b-4, nb-1): 5; Total (for four wkts. in 47 overs): 131
Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-60, 3-93, 4-124
Delhi bowling: Simarjeet 4-2-12-0, Lakra 5-1-13-1, Aman 16-3-34-1, Shokeen 15-1-45-1, Badoni 6-1-16-1, Mathur 1-0-7-0
Published on Oct 27, 2026
