Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) star Rajat Patidar has continued his fine form in the ongoing Raji Trophy 2022 after an impressive campaign in the recently-concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. Patidar notched up a brilliant century for Madhya Pradesh in the ongoing Ranji Trophy final against Mumbai at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday (June 25).

After bundling out Mumbai for 374 runs in their first innings, Madhya Pradesh got off to a strong start in the final. Opener Yash Dubey (133) and Shubham Sharma (116) slammed centuries before Patidar became the third batter in the side to notch up a hundred in their first innings. Patidar played a sublime knock of 122 runs off 219 balls laced with 20 fours.

He came out to bat at number four for Madhya Pradesh and ensured he carried on the momentum after a solid display from Dubey and Sharma. Patidar helped Madhya Pradesh gain a strong lead over Mumbai in the summit clash with his terrific century and also achieved a unique double.

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Patidar, who had scored a century for RCB in the IPL 2022 playoffs, has now completed a rare double of smashing a century in the knockout stages of both IPL and the Ranji Trophy inside one month. Patidar had scored a ton against Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator of the recently-concluded IPL 2022 to help RCB make it to the second Qualifier.

He was roped in as an injury replacement by RCB this season and turned out to be one of their star performers with the bat towards the end of the season. Patidar continued his sensational run in the Ranji Trophy for Madhya Pradesh with half-centuries in the quarter-final and semi-final against Punjab and Bengal respectively.

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He followed it up with a crucial century in the final against Mumbai on Saturday to help Madhya Pradesh post 536 runs on the board, in reply to Mumbai's first-innings total of 374 runs. With the help of his ton, Madhya Pradesh amassed a healthy lead of 162 runs in the final.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) star Rajat Patidar has continued his fine form in the ongoing Raji Trophy 2022 after an impressive campaign in the recently-concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) star Rajat Patidar has continued his fine form in the ongoing Raji Trophy 2022 after an impressive campaign in the recently-concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. Patidar notched up a brilliant century for Madhya Pradesh in the ongoing Ranji Trophy final against Mumbai at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday (June 25). After bundling out Mumbai for 374 runs in their first innings, Madhya Pradesh got off to a strong start in the final. Opener Yash Dubey (133) and Shubham Sharma (116) slammed centuries before Patidar became the third batter in the side to notch up a hundred in their first innings. Patidar played a sublime knock of 122 runs off 219 balls laced with 20 fours. He came out to bat at number four for Madhya Pradesh and ensured he carried on the momentum after a solid display from Dubey and Sharma. Patidar helped Madhya Pradesh gain a strong lead over Mumbai in the summit clash with his terrific century and also achieved a unique double. Also Read: Sachin recalls India's memorable 1983 WC triumph: 'Knew right then, that’s what I wanted to do too' Patidar, who had scored a century for RCB in the IPL 2022 playoffs, has now completed a rare double of smashing a century in the knockout stages of both IPL and the Ranji Trophy inside one month. Patidar had scored a ton against Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator of the recently-concluded IPL 2022 to help RCB make it to the second Qualifier. He was roped in as an injury replacement by RCB this season and turned out to be one of their star performers with the bat towards the end of the season. Patidar continued his sensational run in the Ranji Trophy for Madhya Pradesh with half-centuries in the quarter-final and semi-final against Punjab and Bengal respectively. Also Read: Pant's fitness not up to the mark, Rohit Sharma too isn't very fit, says former Pakistan spinner He followed it up with a crucial century in the final against Mumbai on Saturday to help Madhya Pradesh post 536 runs on the board, in reply to Mumbai's first-innings total of 374 runs. With the help of his ton, Madhya Pradesh amassed a healthy lead of 162 runs in the final.

Rajat Patidar slams brilliant century in Ranji Trophy final against Mumbai, achieves unique double

Sarfaraz Khan has been in splendid form in Ranji Trophy 2021-22 season. In the ongoing final between Mumbai and Madhya Pradesh, Sarfaraz slammed an impressive century -- fourth of his season -- to take Prithvi Shaw &amp; Co. to a challenging total of 374 runs in the first essay.&nbsp;

With a fine 134, off 243 balls, Sarfaraz now averages a staggering 82.83&nbsp;in First-Class cricket as the 24-year-old youngster is making a strong statement. He has had a stellar run in the ongoing season -- where he has amassed 937 runs in eight innings at a breathtaking average of 133.85 -- and his consistency is being hailed by one and all.&nbsp;

After his recent heroic versus Madhya Pradesh in the summit clash, former West Indies pacer-turned-commentator Ian Bishop has hailed Sarfaraz.

Bishop wrote on Twitter, "Sarfraz Khan averages 81 in FC cricket. Yes, it’s a small sample size of 24 games, but it’s still remarkable."

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Sarfraz Khan averages 81 in FC cricket. Yes, it’s a small sample size of 24 games, but it’s still remarkable.
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For the unversed, Sarfaraz has 2,485 runs in 25*&nbsp;FC matches&nbsp;and has&nbsp;the second-best average among batters with a minimum of 2,000 runs. He&nbsp;is&nbsp;only behind Sir Don Bradman in this regard. The former Aussie great had amassed a mammoth 28,067 runs in 234 FC matches, at an average of 95.14.

Seeing his remarkable growth and consistency, calls for Sarfaraz's inclusion in India's Test side has intensified. As per a report in the TOI, he&nbsp;is in line for selection for India's&nbsp;Test series against Bangladesh later this year.

Sarfaraz Khan has been in splendid form in Ranji Trophy 2021-22 season. In the ongoing final between Mumbai and Madhya Pradesh, Sarfaraz slammed an impressive century -- fourth of his season -- to take Prithvi Shaw & Co.

Sarfaraz Khan has been in splendid form in Ranji Trophy 2021-22 season. In the ongoing final between Mumbai and Madhya Pradesh, Sarfaraz slammed an impressive century -- fourth of his season -- to take Prithvi Shaw & Co. to a challenging total of 374 runs in the first essay. With a fine 134, off 243 balls, Sarfaraz now averages a staggering 82.83 in First-Class cricket as the 24-year-old youngster is making a strong statement. He has had a stellar run in the ongoing season -- where he has amassed 937 runs in eight innings at a breathtaking average of 133.85 -- and his consistency is being hailed by one and all. After his recent heroic versus Madhya Pradesh in the summit clash, former West Indies pacer-turned-commentator Ian Bishop has hailed Sarfaraz. Bishop wrote on Twitter, "Sarfraz Khan averages 81 in FC cricket. Yes, it’s a small sample size of 24 games, but it’s still remarkable." Sarfraz Khan averages 81 in FC cricket. Yes, it’s a small sample size of 24 games, but it’s still remarkable. — Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) June 23, 2022 × ALSO READ | 'Pains me to see such a big player.....': Kapil Dev opines on superstar Virat Kohli's century drought For the unversed, Sarfaraz has 2,485 runs in 25* FC matches and has the second-best average among batters with a minimum of 2,000 runs. He is only behind Sir Don Bradman in this regard. The former Aussie great had amassed a mammoth 28,067 runs in 234 FC matches, at an average of 95.14. Seeing his remarkable growth and consistency, calls for Sarfaraz's inclusion in India's Test side has intensified. As per a report in the TOI, he is in line for selection for India's Test series against Bangladesh later this year.

Ian Bishop lauds Sarfaraz Khan as Indian batter averages 82 in FC cricket, second only to Sir Don Bradman

An unheralded bunch of Madhya Pradesh bowlers stuck to its plans as a star-studded Mumbai side toiled its way to 248 for five on the first day of the Ranji Trophy final here. Despite an opening stand of 87 between Prithvi Shaw (47, 79 balls) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (78, 163 balls), Mumbai failed to drive home the advantage on a pitch that wasn't conducive for strokeplay.

A 400-plus first-innings total will now depend on the season's highest run-getter Sarfaraz Khan (40 batting, 125 balls), who is looking good for another big knock with the dependable Shams Mulani (12 batting, 43 balls) giving him company.

While left-arm spinner Kumar Kartikeya was the tireless operator from one end, having sent down 31 overs for figures of 1 for 91, seamer Gaurav Yadav (23-5-68-0) was distinctly unlucky and the wickets column don't reflect the relentless pressure that he put on Mumbai batters, especially skipper Shaw.

In fact, it was the pressure applied by Yadav which helped nippy seamer Anubhav Agarwal (19-3-56-2) and tall off-spinner Saransh Jain (17-2-31-2) to share the bulk of the spoils, with some intelligent execution of plans.

Mumbai did enjoy the advantage during the first hour after Shaw opted to bat and, along with Jaiswal, took on the MP attack. The strategy to start with Kartikeya's slow left-arm orthodox seemed to have backfired when Jaiswal took him on and lofted him over long-on for a six.

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Shaw followed suit and hit Kartikeya over long-off for a six as they added 87 for the first wicket. But while Jaiswal, with his drives and upper cuts, looked to continue from where he left in the semi-final, Shaw, despite his seven fours (at least three of them behind square) looked edgy.

Both the seamers, Anubhav and Gaurav, got some movement in the air with a nice cloud cover helping their cause. They also hit the perfect length with movement off the pitch in both directions, into and away from the batter. Both look run-of-the-mill medium pacers but are deceptively quicker than they actually look.

In fact, the best over of the first day was the 12th of the Mumbai innings when Gaurav first cut Shaw into half with a massive in-cutter and then bowled the outgoing deliveries, beating the bat as many as five times in six balls. 
By the end of the over, he was in his hunches.

Jaiswal, at the other end, scored his first 30 runs in 52 balls, but then, gauging the two-paced nature of the pitch, started playing more cautiously. His next 48 runs came in another 111 deliveries. The first breakthrough came minutes before lunch break when Anubhav, who was bowling closer to the stumps, decided to move slightly wide and fired in a couple of deliveries with the angle.

While Shaw managed to defend one, the second delivery saw him play across the line and the stumps rattled. 
Arman Jaffer (26 off 56 balls) looked solid till he tried a forward-defensive jab off Kartikeya, without factoring in the extra bounce, and the ball took an inside edge off his bat and Yash Dubey, at short mid-wicket, completed a diving catch.

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The pitch in the second session slowed down considerably and Suved Parkar (18) paid the price when a delivery from Saransh stopped on him and the leading edge off closed bat face just lobbed up for the easiest of catches for rival captain Aditya Shrivastava.

The dismissal that was most well-planned was that of Jaiswal, who was closing in on a fourth hundred of the season. 
Anubhav, who had started operating wide of the crease, started cramping the left-hander for room. As he was finding it difficult to get the boundaries, Jaiswal, without much room, tried the square cut but failed to keep it down and Dubey at gully took a sharp low catch.

Hardik Tamore (24) was living dangerously till Saransh got some drift and the delivery straightened after pitching, taking the outside edge into Rajat Patidar's hands in the first slip.

An unheralded bunch of Madhya Pradesh bowlers stuck to its plans as a star-studded Mumbai side toiled its way to 248 for five on the first day of the Ranji Trophy final here.

An unheralded bunch of Madhya Pradesh bowlers stuck to its plans as a star-studded Mumbai side toiled its way to 248 for five on the first day of the Ranji Trophy final here. Despite an opening stand of 87 between Prithvi Shaw (47, 79 balls) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (78, 163 balls), Mumbai failed to drive home the advantage on a pitch that wasn't conducive for strokeplay. A 400-plus first-innings total will now depend on the season's highest run-getter Sarfaraz Khan (40 batting, 125 balls), who is looking good for another big knock with the dependable Shams Mulani (12 batting, 43 balls) giving him company. While left-arm spinner Kumar Kartikeya was the tireless operator from one end, having sent down 31 overs for figures of 1 for 91, seamer Gaurav Yadav (23-5-68-0) was distinctly unlucky and the wickets column don't reflect the relentless pressure that he put on Mumbai batters, especially skipper Shaw. In fact, it was the pressure applied by Yadav which helped nippy seamer Anubhav Agarwal (19-3-56-2) and tall off-spinner Saransh Jain (17-2-31-2) to share the bulk of the spoils, with some intelligent execution of plans. Mumbai did enjoy the advantage during the first hour after Shaw opted to bat and, along with Jaiswal, took on the MP attack. The strategy to start with Kartikeya's slow left-arm orthodox seemed to have backfired when Jaiswal took him on and lofted him over long-on for a six. Also Read: 'Hardik Pandya is the most valuable T20 cricketer in the world': Former Australia cricketer lauds all-rounder Shaw followed suit and hit Kartikeya over long-off for a six as they added 87 for the first wicket. But while Jaiswal, with his drives and upper cuts, looked to continue from where he left in the semi-final, Shaw, despite his seven fours (at least three of them behind square) looked edgy. Both the seamers, Anubhav and Gaurav, got some movement in the air with a nice cloud cover helping their cause. They also hit the perfect length with movement off the pitch in both directions, into and away from the batter. Both look run-of-the-mill medium pacers but are deceptively quicker than they actually look. In fact, the best over of the first day was the 12th of the Mumbai innings when Gaurav first cut Shaw into half with a massive in-cutter and then bowled the outgoing deliveries, beating the bat as many as five times in six balls. By the end of the over, he was in his hunches. Jaiswal, at the other end, scored his first 30 runs in 52 balls, but then, gauging the two-paced nature of the pitch, started playing more cautiously. His next 48 runs came in another 111 deliveries. The first breakthrough came minutes before lunch break when Anubhav, who was bowling closer to the stumps, decided to move slightly wide and fired in a couple of deliveries with the angle. While Shaw managed to defend one, the second delivery saw him play across the line and the stumps rattled. Arman Jaffer (26 off 56 balls) looked solid till he tried a forward-defensive jab off Kartikeya, without factoring in the extra bounce, and the ball took an inside edge off his bat and Yash Dubey, at short mid-wicket, completed a diving catch. Also Read: 'This has happened because of him': Ex-Pakistan captain blames Ravi Shastri for Virat Kohli's poor form The pitch in the second session slowed down considerably and Suved Parkar (18) paid the price when a delivery from Saransh stopped on him and the leading edge off closed bat face just lobbed up for the easiest of catches for rival captain Aditya Shrivastava. The dismissal that was most well-planned was that of Jaiswal, who was closing in on a fourth hundred of the season. Anubhav, who had started operating wide of the crease, started cramping the left-hander for room. As he was finding it difficult to get the boundaries, Jaiswal, without much room, tried the square cut but failed to keep it down and Dubey at gully took a sharp low catch. Hardik Tamore (24) was living dangerously till Saransh got some drift and the delivery straightened after pitching, taking the outside edge into Rajat Patidar's hands in the first slip.

Ranji Trophy final: Yashasvi Jasiwal shines but Disciplined MP keep Mumbai at 248/5 on Day 1