The crack of leather on willow echoed across India as the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 got underway with 38 teams locking horns across the country. Divided into four Elite Groups (A to D) and one Plate Group, the tournament’s opening day didn’t disappoint — it delivered fireworks, heartbreaks, and statements of intent.
While some senior names stumbled, the day belonged to the young guns — particularly Ishan Kishan, KS Bharat, Siddhesh Lad, and Saransh Jain.
Ishan Kishan’s Captain’s Knock
In Coimbatore, Jharkhand skipper Ishan Kishan proved why he’s still among India’s most dynamic red-ball batters. Coming in at a shaky 133/5 against Tamil Nadu, the left-hander counterattacked with maturity. His unbeaten 125 off 142 balls — laced with 12 fours and 2 sixes — rescued Jharkhand from trouble and powered them to 307/6 at stumps.
Kishan’s innings was a perfect blend of aggression and grit — a timely reminder for selectors that his bat still speaks loudly in the longer format.
KS Bharat Back in Form
KS Bharat, the Andhra wicketkeeper who has been in and out of India’s Test radar, sent a strong message in Kanpur. He anchored Andhra’s innings with a fluent hundred, ensuring a solid 289/3 against Uttar Pradesh. His calculated aggression and flawless technique showed why he remains one of India’s most reliable domestic performers.
Siddhesh Lad Stands Tall for Mumbai
At Srinagar, Mumbai’s top order collapsed early against Jammu & Kashmir. Ajinkya Rahane fell cheaply, and young Musheer Khan departed for a duck. But Siddhesh Lad played the role of savior, crafting a patient century that steadied the innings. Supported by Sarfaraz Khan, who narrowly missed a fifty, Lad’s ton guided Mumbai to a strong 336/5 by stumps.
It was a reminder of Lad’s resilience — the hallmark of Mumbai cricketing grit.
Saransh Jain’s Six-Wicket Spell
While batters took the spotlight across venues, Saransh Jain owned the day with the ball. Playing for Madhya Pradesh, the off-spinner wrecked Punjab’s middle order, grabbing 6 wickets and bowling them out for 232. MP finished the day comfortably at 6/0, well placed to seize control on Day 2.
Mixed Fortunes for Big Names
It wasn’t a dream start for everyone. Prithvi Shaw, making his debut for Maharashtra, was dismissed for a duck against Kerala — a disappointing outing for the stylish opener trying to revive his career. His teammate Ruturaj Gaikwad looked composed but fell nine short of a deserved century on 91.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami, representing Bengal, made his presence felt with the ball, claiming three crucial wickets against Uttarakhand, restricting them to 213. Bengal closed the day at 8/1.
Scorecard DAY 1
| Match | Score |
|---|---|
| Odisha vs Baroda | 205/5 (89.5 overs) |
| Bengal vs Uttarakhand | Uttarakhand 213 all out; Bengal 8/1 |
| Karnataka vs Saurashtra | 295/5 (90 overs) |
| Vidarbha vs Nagaland | 302/3 (85 overs) |
| Services vs Tripura | 246/6 (85 overs) |
| Maharashtra vs Kerala | 179/7 (59 overs) |
| Railway vs Haryana | Haryana 171 all out; Railway 93/6 (32 overs) |
| Jharkhand vs Tamil Nadu | 307/6 (90 overs) |
| Assam vs Gujarat | 218/6 (90 overs) |
| Chhattisgarh vs Rajasthan | 287/7 (87 overs) |
| Mumbai vs J&K | 336/5 (83 overs) |
| Andhra vs UP | 289/3 (85.5 overs) |
| Delhi vs Hyderabad | 256/3 (83 overs) |
| MP vs Punjab | Punjab 232 all out; MP 6/0 |
| Goa vs Chandigarh | 291/3 (86 overs) |
| HP vs Puducherry | HP 176/5 (60 overs) |
A Day of Seven Centuries
It rained runs on Day 1 — Ishan Kishan, KS Bharat, Siddhesh Lad, Ajay Jaydev Mandal, Aman Mokhade, Abhinav Tejrana, and Ayush Anand Loharuka all reached three figures. For young Aman Mokhade, it was a particularly special day — his maiden first-class hundred, a knock filled with heart and hunger.
The Takeaway
The Ranji Trophy’s latest season has started with exactly what Indian cricket needs — competition, flair, and emerging talent pushing the veterans. If Day 1 is any indication, the 2025-26 season promises to be a festival of cricketing stories — of comebacks, breakthroughs, and performances that could shape India’s future Test lineup.
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