Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Salil Arora’s Hundred on debut takes Punjab to safety against Madhya Pradesh

Wicketkeeper-batsman Salil Arora made a remarkable first-class debut, hitting a resilient 101 to help Punjab recover from a nervous start and end the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Group C match at 254 for seven against Madhya Pradesh here Friday.

Coming in at number seven, Arora built an uninterrupted 100-run partnership with Sukhwinder Singh (64 off 96 balls) as Punjab recovered superbly from 154 for seven inside 63 overs.

Punjab opted to bat and lost both their openers Abhay Choudhary (0) and Jaskaranvir Singh Paul (15) inside eight overs.

Their innings was in disarray with Naman Dhir (7), Pukhraj Mann (1), Anmolpreet Singh (25), Krish Bhagat (27) and skipper Mayank Markande (7) getting out cheaply.

But Arora showed good determination in the company of Sukhwinder, who played a counter-attacking innings and hit eight fours and two sixes.

For MP, Kumar Kartikeya took 2/43, while Avesh Khan, Saransh Jain, Anubhav Agarwal, Kulwant Khejroliya and Shubham Sharma took one each.

In Alur, Kerala were 88 for no loss against Karnataka when bad light halted play on the shortened day.

Rohan Kunnummal was unbeaten on 57 off 74 balls with nine fours and one six, while Vathsal Goud provided fine support with 31 in the 23 overs game that was possible after a wet outfield.

Short scores

In Lucknow: Haryana 242/6; 90 overs (Himanshu Rana 114, Ankit KUmar 77; Shivam Sharma 3/46) vs Uttar Pradesh.

In Mullanpur: Punjab 254/7; 90 overs (Salil Arora 101 batting, Sukhwinder Singh 64; Kumar Kartikeya 2/43) vs Madhya Pradesh.

In Alur: Kerala 88 without loss; 23 overs against Karnataka.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)