Delhi vs Railways Day 3 Live Updates, Ranji Trophy© PTI

Day 2 of the ongoing Ranji Trophy match between Delhi and Railways was a total rollercoaster for the hosts. The day began with the heartbreaking dismissal of India star batter Virat Kohli for 5, who failed to leave a mark on his return to Ranji Trophy. Following this, skipper Ayush Badoni flaunted his batting skills and brought Delhi back into the game. He was looking flawless in his approach but his dream of bringing up his century was shattered after he was dismissed by Karn Sharma for 99.

During the 56th over, Badoni went for a slog sweep against Sharma but the ball hit the top edge and was caught by Kunal Yadav.

Seeing the young captain missing his century by a whisker, Kohli gave a disappointing look while sitting in the dugout.

Virat Kohli’s reactions and he was disappointed when Ayush Badoni got out on 99 runs. pic.twitter.com/O5xxJAdvK4

— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) January 31, 2025

Talking about the match, resuming the day at 41/1, Delhi were able to get past Railways’ 241 courtesy a 133-run stand between Badoni (99 off 77) and Sumit Mathur (78 not out off 189). At stumps, Delhi had taken a 93-run lead by reaching 334/7.

Badoni put the opposition bowlers under pressure with a fearless display of stroke-making before falling to a slog sweep of leg-spinner Karn Sharma in the 56th over.

Railways pacers were a tad unlucky in not getting a breakthrough in the first hour of play with Yash Dhull (32 off 69) and Sanat Sangwan living dangerously. After a few streaky boundaries, Dhull played a copybook cover drive before being adjudged leg before wicket off left-arm pacer Rahul Sharma.

Dhull’s dismissal brought Virat Kohli to the middle, drawing a loud roar from the fans. However, the joy of fans was short-lived as the superstar went for an expansive drive off Himanshu Sangwan but the missed the ball completely to see his off-stump uprooted.

Kohli had drilled a straight boundary the ball before but standing outside the crease, he went for the attack again only to miss the ball that seamed back in slightly.

Sangwan also breached the defenses of opener Sanat Sangwan (30 off 81) in the following over leaving Delhi at 97 for four in the 30th over.

Delhi captain Badoni then led from the front to put his team in a strong position. He took the attack to Railways especially left-arm spinner Ayan Chaudhari, dispatching him for three sixes.

He entered into his 90s with back-to-back sixes before mistiming a sweep off Karn Sharma to be caught at short fine-leg on 99. The sweep had yielded him the desired results until his dismissal in the 56th over.

Badoni’s innings comprised 12 fours and three sixes. It was an innings that underlined his contribution to Delhi’s campaign this season. He is both the leading run-getter and leading wicket-taker for his team in Ranji Trophy.

(With PTI Inputs)

Delhi vs Railways Live Updates, Day 1, Ranji Trophy Elite Group D© X (formerly Twitter)

There’s been a different flavour to the atmosphere around the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi ever since Virat Kohli’s participation for Delhi in their Ranji Trophy match against Railways, starting on Thursday, was confirmed. The talismanic Kohli last played in the Ranji Trophy against Uttar Pradesh in Ghaziabad in November 2012. Now with him set for a homecoming in the prestigious red-ball domestic competition from Thursday, the mood has been understandably a mix of excitement and anticipation. “We just want to end playing this upcoming match on a good note. We are not thinking about the points table (scenario) as anything can happen. But we are going for an outright result. Everyone is very motivated and excited after Virat’s arrival.

“He was just explaining to everyone yesterday to be confident. Just like he is on the field, everyone is thinking of winning. Everyone is very motivated for the match, and with Virat also here, we are even more motivated now,” said Delhi captain Ayush Badoni to reporters on the eve of the match.

Badoni also confirmed that Kohli will bat at his usual number four position, which means he is likely to drop down to number five in the batting order. He also said Delhi’s playing eleven is not decided yet, adding that with a green wicket set to be dished out, pacers could be added.

All-rounder Badoni feels very grateful that he has been the captain to Rishabh Pant and now Kohli are in the Delhi Ranji side. “It is a very good feeling when two big players are there in the team. Their presence is just enough, and I myself feel very motivated. I have handled the pressure of playing against him (Kohli). So, it will be fun to play with him,” he said.

Delhi’s practice sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday have been a bit more intense and long, something which hadn’t been witnessed before. Badoni conceded that Kohli’s arrival has been the reason behind the change in the Delhi team’s atmosphere.

“He has been very positive. The way he is on the field, it’s the same he’s off the field too. He is very fun loving. The intensity is a little more in practice as it’s the last match. We have to end it on a good note. With Virat’s arrival, it has become a very fun atmosphere,” says Badoni.

Delhi is coming into Thursday’s game after a crushing ten-wicket defeat to Saurashtra in Rajkot inside two days and are now at sixth place in the points table. Badoni, who’s made 400 runs with the bat and picked 12 wickets with his off-spin bowling, insisted there will be no change in the thought process of the team in their quest of getting an outright win over Railways and that the hosts’ have totally left behind what all happened in Rajkot.

“The process is the same. What we have been following, exactly it is going on. So, there is nothing that has changed, as the same process is going on. I have left it (defeat in Rajkot) completely behind.

“If all goes well, then we will win, and qualify (for the knockouts). But I am not thinking far ahead right now. But whenever I bowl, I think about how to take maximum wickets, and I think of making as many runs as possible when batting,” he said.

Delhi Captain Ayush Badoni had to face some tough questions in the press conference ahead of the Ranji Trophy match against Railways, starting Thursday. Badoni, who has been tasked with the responsibility of leading Virat Kohli, a giant name in Indian cricket, in the match was asked if he is feeling nervous ahead of the prospect of captaining Kohli, telling him what to do and where to field. However, Badoni dodged the questions like an ace.

“No, nothing like that (prepared to tell Virat where to field?). I have played against him in the past. I have experienced that pressure. Playing with him will be a lot of fun,” Badoni told reporters at the press conference on Wednesday.

Badoni had earlier led another India stalwart in the form of Rishabh Pant, who was also given the option of leading the team like Kohli. But, both turned it down.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to lead Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant. Their presence itself is huge. They motivate players in the dressing room, and we get to learn a lot from them,” Badoni added.

“I have a very good bond with Rishabh Pant and Virat Kohli. I have played alongside Pant for a long time. Kohli has brought a lot of fun to the dressing room,” he further said.

#WATCH | Delhi Ranji team captain Ayush Badoni says, “Everyone is excited and motivated with his (Virat Kohli) arrival. His presence makes everyone lively.” pic.twitter.com/0AZjXsZpDA

— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2025

Delhi are placed sixth in the eight-team Group D with 14 points from six matches but Badoni is only focusing on the match at hand.

“We are not looking at the points table. Anything can happen, but we are going for an outright win. We are very excited.

“Kohli was just telling us to remain confident, the way he carries himself on the field.

“We are quite motivated. And with Virat coming in, we are even more motivated,” he added.

“I am not thinking much about the future right now. I just aim to take wickets while bowling and score as many runs as possible while batting,” he said.

Saurashtra vs Delhi, Ranji Trophy LIVE Streaming: Delhi take on Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy 2024/25, in a game that sees the domestic cricket return of two India stalwarts, in the form of Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja. Pant returns to the Ranji circuit after a seven-year absence, but won’t captain Delhi, choosing to play under soon-to-be Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) teammate Ayush Badoni. Jadeja last played Ranji Trophy in January 2023, and will turn out for Saurashtra, under the captaincy of veteran pacer Jaydev Unadkat. Delhi sit fourth in the Elite Group D table, while Saurashtra are sixth.

Here are the LIVE Streaming details for Saurashtra vs Delhi, Ranji Trophy LIVE Telecast: Check Where and How to Watch

When will the Saurashtra vs Delhi, Ranji Trophy match take place?

The Saurashtra vs Delhi, Ranji Trophy match will take place on Thursday, January 23 (IST).

Where will the Saurashtra vs Delhi, Ranji Trophy match be held?

The Saurashtra vs Delhi, Ranji Trophy match will be held at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot.

What time will the Saurashtra vs Delhi, Ranji Trophy match start?

The Saurashtra vs Delhi, Ranji Trophy match will start at 9:30 AM IST. The toss will take place at 9:00 AM IST.

Which TV channels will show the live telecast of the Saurashtra vs Delhi, Ranji Trophy match?

The Saurashtra vs Delhi, Ranji Trophy match will not be televised live in India.

Where to follow the live streaming of the Saurashtra vs Delhi, Ranji Trophy match?

The Saurashtra vs Delhi, Ranji Trophy match will be not be live streamed in India.

(All details are as per information provided by the broadcaster)

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy action has been going on thick and fast, as the quarter-finals got underway in India’s domestic T20 tournament. The latest match, a clash between northern rivals Delhi and Uttar Pradesh saw two Indian Premier League (IPL) stars clash. Former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter Nitish Rana and current Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) star Ayush Badoni had a heated exchange during the quarter-final. The clash and war of words between the two required the umpire to intervene in order to separate them.

Rana, who used to play for Delhi but now represents Uttar Pradesh, was bowling to Delhi captain Badoni. In the 13th over, Rana first withdrew once from his bowling stance, before Badoni returned the favour by withdrawing from his batting stance.

pic.twitter.com/0NswUZ5lYx

— Sunil Gavaskar (@gavaskar_theman) December 11, 2024

The incident evidently caused tension between the two, with the duo squaring off against each other at the non-striker’s end.

As the two squared off, the standing umpire had to step in to ensure that the heated exchange does not escalate.

In the quarter-final, Delhi put up a strong total of 193/3 in 20 overs. Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) wicket-keeper batter Anuj Rawat starred with a 33-ball 73. Rawat will play for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025.

IPL 2025: Nitish Rana and Ayush Badoni

Nitish Rana is an IPL veteran, having established himself as a reliable Indian middle-order batter. Rana won IPL 2024 with KKR, and even captained the franchise a year earlier.

However, come the mega auction, KKR did not put a bid for Rana, and he was sold to Rajasthan Royals for Rs 4.2 crore.

On the other hand, Badoni did not enter the auction pool at all. The 25-year-old was retained by LSG as one of their two uncapped retentions, at a fee of Rs 4 crore. He is expected to feature in a stacked middle-order for LSG in IPL 2025, that will feature the likes of Rishabh Pant, Nicholas Pooran and David Miller.

LSG Full Squad, IPL 2025: LSG roped in pacer Akash Deep for Rs 8 crore on Day 2 of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. On Day 1, LSG made the biggest purchase of the IPL 2025 mega auction, as they broke the bank for Rishabh Pant, setting an IPL record price of Rs 27 crore. They also roped in the likes of David Miller and Avesh Khan for good money, and head into Day 2 with a strong squad. Owner Sanjiv Goenka spoke about the need to fill a gap or two after Day 1 of the auction, and LSG will have an auction purse of Rs 14.85 cr at the start of Day 2 to make those moves. (Full Squad)

Full list of players bought at auction:

1. Rishabh Pant – Rs 27 crore

2. Aiden Markram – Rs 2 crore

3. David Miller – Rs 7.5 crore

4. Mitchell Marsh – Rs 3.4 crore

5. Avesh Khan – Rs 9.75 crore

6. Abdul Samad – Rs 4.2 crore

7. Aryan Juyal – Rs 30 lakh

8. Akash Deep – Rs 8 crore

9. Himmat Singh – Rs 30 lakh

10. M Siddharth – Rs 75 lakh

11. Digvesh Singh – Rs 35 lakh

12. Shahbaz Ahmed – Rs 2.4 crore

13. Akash Singh – Rs 30 lakh

14. Shamar Joseph – Rs 75 lakh

15. Prince Yadav – Rs 30 lakh

16. Yuvraj Chaudhary – Rs 30 lakh

17. Rajvardhan Hangargekar – Rs 30 lakh

18. Arshin Kulkarni – Rs 30 lakh

19. Matthew Breetzke – Rs 75 lakh

Full list of retained players: Nicholas Pooran, Mayank Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Ayush Badoni

Full list of released players: KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Quinton de Kock, Ashton Turner, Deepak Hooda, Krishnappa Gowtham, Krunal Pandya, Kyle Mayers, Marcus Stoinis, Mohd. Arshad Khan, Prerak Mankad, Yudhvir Singh, Arshin Kulkarni, David Willey, Shivam Mavi, Shamar Joseph, Matt Henry, Yash Thakur, Amit Mishra, Naveen ul Haq, M Siddharth

LSG Full Squad, IPL 2025: Rishabh Pant on Sunday etched his name in history books, becoming the most expensive buy ever in the history of the IPL auction. Pant was bought by Rs LSG for a shattering sum of Rs 27 crore. LSG were in a bidding war with RCB and DC, who had released the player ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. DC tried to use RTM on Pant when LSG had the bid on Rs 20.75 crore. However, LSG made a final counter bid of Rs 27 crore, which DC couldn’t match. As a result, Pant became the most expensive player, surpassing PBKS’ bid of Rs 26.75 crore for Shreyas Iyer earlier in the same auction. (Full Squad)

LSG also bolstered their squad by the notable signings of Aiden Markram, David Miller, Mitchell Marsh and Avesh Khan.

Full list of players bought at auction:

1. Rishabh Pant – Rs 27 crore

2. Aiden Markram – Rs 2 crore

3. David Miller – Rs 7.5 crore

4. Mitchell Marsh – Rs 3.4 crore

5. Avesh Khan – Rs 9.75 crore

6. Abdul Samad – Rs 4.2 crore

7. Aryan Juyal – Rs 30 lakh

Full list of retained players: Nicholas Pooran, Mayank Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Ayush Badoni

Full list of released players: KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Quinton de Kock, Ashton Turner, Deepak Hooda, Krishnappa Gowtham, Krunal Pandya, Kyle Mayers, Marcus Stoinis, Mohd. Arshad Khan, Prerak Mankad, Yudhvir Singh, Arshin Kulkarni, David Willey, Shivam Mavi, Shamar Joseph, Matt Henry, Yash Thakur, Amit Mishra, Naveen ul Haq, M Siddharth

New Delhi:

Ayush Badoni was batting on 193 and has already surpassed his previous best score in First-Class Cricket by two runs. But the batter showed courage and smashed two sixes in the next four balls to bring a swift conclusion to the final day’s play in the Ranji Trophy clash between Delhi and Jharkhand at Arun Jaitley Stadium here on Saturday. Badoni’s powerful shots helped Delhi surpass Jharkhand’s first-innings total of 382, securing a lead of six runs as their Elite Division Group-D match ended in a draw on Saturday. He was adjudged the Player of the Match for his superb knock.

After finishing Day Three on 116 off 146 balls, Badoni’s performance on the fourth day was nothing short of breathtaking. Having been in a precarious position at 98/4 following Jharkhand’s total of 382 in the first innings, Badoni single-handedly led Delhi’s charge, finishing unbeaten on 205 runs. Reaching this landmark in just 216 deliveries, his innings included 16 fours and 10 sixes, a display of both technical prowess and attacking flair.

In the final stages of the game, Badoni, with a display of aggression, hit two consecutive sixes off left-arm spinner Manishi, the first to long-off and the second straight down the ground, which saw him bring up his maiden First-Class double century.

This timely assault ensured Delhi reached 388/7 before both teams decided to shake hands and settle for a draw. The impact of Badoni’s knock was undeniable, and it left Delhi to claim three points from the match while Jharkhand got one, keeping them in fourth place in Group D. This match is a significant moment in his journey as he replaced Himmat Singh as the team’s leader earlier this season, Badoni took the responsibility with maturity and composure.

Reflecting on his achievement, Badoni said, “It felt great to captain the team and score a double century in my first match. I wanted to lead from the front. This match was really important for us because, after our last match, winning this was crucial. We are definitely working on our consistency as a team. With the new captain in place, we are focusing on improving and making sure that we don’t have these lapses in our game.”

The captaincy change, though recent, has been instrumental in his development, and Badoni has embraced the new role with both responsibility and enthusiasm. Badoni reflected, “I’m focused on helping my team be more consistent. It’s a work in progress, and every match is an opportunity for us to grow. With the new leadership, I’m focused on improving, keeping the energy high, and ensuring we do not have lapses in our game.”

This attitude towards leadership highlights his belief in taking ownership of the team’s performance, not just his own.

Badoni’s consistency at the domestic level has not gone unnoticed. His stellar performance in the Ranji Trophy earned him a spot in the India A team for the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup held in Oman. The opportunity to represent India A is a significant moment in Badoni’s career, providing him with exposure to international-level cricket. There, he notched up an unbeaten half-century against Oman, further proving his mettle. Despite India A’s semifinal exit, Badoni was undeterred and took immense value from the experience.

“Playing for India A was an amazing experience. Unfortunately, we lost in the semifinals, but it was a fantastic learning opportunity for me,” Badoni said.

Beyond his domestic and international feats, Badoni has also been making a name for himself in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) recognised his potential and retained him for a hefty Rs 4 crore ahead of the 2025 mega auction. This was a huge endorsement of his rising stature in Indian cricket.

The confidence LSG showed in him has lifted Badoni’s spirits, allowing him to focus on the game without the added pressure of auction speculations. “Being retained by LSG has helped clear my mind. I can now focus entirely on the team and the upcoming season without worrying about the auction. It’s a relief to have that clarity,” he shared.

This retention not only boosts his morale but also signals that Badoni is poised to play an essential role for LSG in the upcoming seasons, showcasing his all-round ability on a bigger platform.

A pivotal part of Badoni’s cricketing growth has been the time he spent with Justin Langer, the legendary former Australian cricketer and coach of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Langer, known for his sharp cricketing mind, took a personal interest in Badoni’s development, especially his batting. Badoni credits Langer’s mentorship as a turning point in his career, especially his understanding of controlling aggression and playing under pressure.

“In Australia, the pitches had a lot more bounce, which made playing there exciting. I also got great exposure, and Justin Langer helped me a lot with understanding how to control aggression. He taught me when to release aggression and when to rein it in, and how to control the mental aspects of the game,” Badoni reflected.

Langer’s influence was not just limited to physical training but extended to the mental side of the game, teaching Badoni how to read the game and stay composed in different situations. “I share a good bond with Justin Langer. I also went to Australia last year, where Justin taught me many things and helped me improve my game,” said Badoni, emphasising how the experience has helped him grow as a player.

While Badoni’s batting continues to take centre stage, he is also working hard to develop his bowling skills. This season, he has taken nine wickets, and his bowling has shown improvement, thanks in part to guidance from Sarandeep Singh, a former Delhi cricketer and expert off-spinner.

“I’ve also been working on my bowling, and I’m enjoying it more now. Sarandeep Singh sir, who himself is an off-spinner, has helped me a lot with my bowling technique, and I’ve made some improvements in that area,” Badoni said. His growth as an all-rounder gives Delhi more flexibility, making him an even more valuable asset to the team.

“I’m focusing on performing in every role the team needs from me, whether it’s batting, bowling, or fielding. Being an all-rounder gives me the opportunity to contribute in multiple ways for my team,” Badoni added, underscoring his belief in versatility and the importance of contributing to every facet of the game.

Badoni’s journey in First-Class cricket has been remarkable. His recent double-century has taken his tally to over 850 runs in First-Class cricket, including three centuries and a fifty. Earlier, he made his debut in FC cricket for Delhi against Saurashtra in January 2023.