Bengal relied on its spinners’ combined yield of seven wickets and its openers’ brisk chase to record a hard-earned nine-wicket win over Delhi and grab six points in its Ranji Trophy opener at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground here on Wednesday.

Re-starting its second innings at 101 for three, Delhi rode on skipper Ayush Badoni’s brilliant 85 (134b, 10×4) to post 277 and set Bengal 89 to win in the last session. The home team crossed the line in 15.3 overs.

Following his five-wicket haul, Badoni led Delhi’s fight with his bat. He and his overnight left-handed partner Anuj Rawat (39, 76b, 7×4) drove and swept well to consolidate with a vital 95-run partnership on a slow pitch.

Off-spinner Aamir Gani used the rough to provide the breakthrough as Rawat was bowled around his legs while trying a reverse sweep.

Retired hurt overnight, Yash Dhull added 45 with Badoni as Delhi erased the deficit.

Part-timer Sumanta Gupta’s off-break ball jumped to hit Dhull’s pad and brushed his gloves on its way to first slip at the stroke of lunch.

Delhi lost three quick wickets after the break. Badoni’s dismissal, with left-arm spinner Pradipta Pramanik finding his outside edge from over the wicket, followed by the fall of Dev Lakra and Hrithik Shokeen to Gani and Pramanik respectively, gave the host hope.

The visitor’s tail-enders frustrated Bengal for 20 overs before the inevitable.

Bengal openers Abhimanyu Easwaran (34 n.o., 40b, 2×4) and Ankur Paul (38, 41b, 3×4) then collected 64 runs at a healthy rate. While the captain rotated the strike, the diminutive debutant executed big hits, including a stunning straight six off Divij Mehra, to deflate the pressure. When Paul holed out, the task was a mere formality for Bengal.

“Gupta has a different trajectory. I introduced him to exploit the rough,” said Abhimanyu, while praising Paul’s innings.

The scores:

Delhi — 1st innings: 240.

Bengal — 1st innings: 429.

Delhi — 2nd innings: Sarthak Ranjan b Akash 3, Sanat Sangwan b Pramanik 25, Yash Dhull c Abhimanyu b Sumanta 22, Ayush Doseja c sub b Mukesh 19, Ayush Badoni c Abhimanyu b Pramanik 85, Anuj Rawat b Gani 39, Dev Lakra st Porel b Gani 13, Hrithik Shokeen b Pramanik 8, Divij Mehra c Porel b Shami 21, Navdeep Saini (not out) 20, Simarjeet Singh b Sumanta 11; Extras (b-6, lb-3, w-1, nb-1): 11; Total (in 106.2 overs): 277.

Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-51, 3-59, 4-154, 5-199, 6-213, 7-225, 8-225, 9-256.

Bengal bowling: Shami 18-7-29-1, Akash 16-5-29-1, Mukesh 12-4-34-1, Gani 24-4-84-2, Pramanik 33-11-72-3, Sumanta 3.2-0-20-2.

Bengal — 2nd innings: Abhimanyu Easwaran (not out) 34, Ankur Paul c Lakra b Shokeen 38, Sudip Gharami (not out) 16: Extras (w-1): 1; Total (for one wkt. in 15.3 overs): 89.

Fall of wicket: 1-64.

Delhi bowling: Badoni 2-0-11-0, Mehra 4-0-18-0, Shokeen 4-0-27-1, Simarjeet 2-0-18-0, Saini 3-0-13-0, Ranjan 0.3-0-2-0.

Published – October 14, 2026 05:45 pm IST

Ayush Badoni. File
| Photo Credit: J. Allen Egenuse

Frank: Badoni admits he was subpar in the most recent IPL.
| Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO: R.V. MOORTHY

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.