Ranji Trophy: Shaw makes a comeback, smashes century against Chhatisgarh

Mumbai’s India batsman smashes 159 off 185 balls in second comeback innings; Bhupen Lalwani carves ton too as Rahane & Co end Day One with 310-4 against Chhattisgarh

Prithvi Shaw smashed a sparkling century in his second comeback innings for Mumbai to put them on top against Chhattisgarh in their Ranji Trophy Group B fixture here on Friday. The 24-year-old, who captained the 2018 U-19 World Cup-winning team, struck 18 boundaries and three sixes in his knock of 159 off 185 deliveries. The opener reached three-figures before lunch and in the process became the first Indian to score two centuries in the opening session on Day One of a first-class cricket match.

His Friday partnership with Bhupen Lalwani produced a massive opening stand of 244 runs, with the latter contributing 102 runs off 238 balls as the 41-times Ranji champions ended the day at 310-4. With four wins and one loss from five matches, Mumbai lead the Group B standings, five points clear of Andhra. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane departed for one, bowled by Ashish Chouhan. It will be up to Suryansh Shegde (17) and wicketkeeper Hardik Tamore (1) to boost the Mumbai total to challenge the hosts further.

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Bhupen Lalwani

Shaw made a comeback to competitive cricket after a six-month injury layoff in Mumbai’s last round Ranji fixture against Bengal at Eden Gardens. He scored 35 in his return in a match Mumbai won by an innings and four runs. It marked his return to the game after August 13 last year when he played for Northants in the English County Championships. His last appearance for India was in July 2021.

Shaw suffered a knee injury during a county stint in August, underwent surgery in London, and completed three months of rehab. He was recently cleared by the National Cricket Academy after a fitness test. He had a successful previous Ranji Trophy season when he amassed 595 runs from 10 innings. But he had a woeful IPL with 106 runs from eight innings and lost his spot in the Delhi Capitals XI.

Forty-one time Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai have had a good start to the season with outright wins over Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Bengal. The solitary loss to Uttar Pradesh came in a thriller.

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