Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Pujara, Rahane depart, miss centuries amidst Kohli hype

The Ranji Trophy 2024-25 is in its last round stage, where teams are battling it out to get themselves through to the knockouts. Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane and Saurashtra's veteran Cheteshwar Pujara, who were once the stalwarts of India's batting line-up, are also participating in their respective games against Meghalaya and Assam, respectively.

Both the batters had resumed their innings on the brink of hundreds on Day 2 of the seventh round, however, both were unfortunate to miss out on the three-figure mark as the action began. Rahane, who resumed his batting from 86 not out, was dismissed for 96, whereas, Pujara had to walk back on 99 after adding only four runs on the second day against Riyan Parag-led Assam.

The Mumbai batter's knock was laced with 11 fours and a maximum in his 177-ball stay at the crease. On the other hand, Pujara played resiliently for his 99, hitting 10 boundaries in the process, before falling prey to Mukhtar Hussain.

King Kohli departs early

Meanwhile, the game at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi, saw Virat Kohli walk in to bat after twelve years in a Ranji Trophy game. After Yash Dhull's dismissal on the fifth ball of the 24th over, Kohli came in to bat at No. 4. On the first ball he faced, there was an appeal for leg before wicket (lbw), however, it was null and void and not considered by the on-field umpire since the bowler Rahul Sharma had overstepped, resulting in a no-ball.

The Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) has made special arrangements for the general public to access the ground, especially for Kohli's presence in the match. He hit a brilliant straight drive off Himanshu Sangwan on the third ball of the 28th over, but the bowler came back with an excellent delivery to shatter the timber of Kohli's defence.