Jharkhand capped off its remarkable run with a convincing victory in the summit clash.
| Photo Credit: Shayan Acharya

Dhanbad:

The principal of a private school in Jharkhand’s Dhanbad district was accused of ordering 80 girls of class 10 to remove their shirts for writing messages on them, prompting the administration to initiate an inquiry, an official said on Saturday.

The girls were allegedly forced to return home in their blazers without shirts beneath.

The incident took place in a prestigious school in Digwadih under Jorapokhar police station area on Friday, Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner (DC) Madhvi Mishra said.

The parents complained to the DC that class 10 students, after completing their examination, were celebrating ‘pen day’ by writing messages on each others’ shirts.

The principal objected to the celebration and asked the students to remove their shirts, even though they sought an apology. All students were sent back home in their blazers without the shirts, the parents told the DC.

“Several guardians lodged complaints against the principal. We also talked to some of the victim girls. The administration has taken the matter seriously. A committee has been set up to investigate the matter,” Mishra said.

The committee consists of the sub-divisional magistrate, district education officer, district social welfare officer and the sub-divisional police officer.

Action would be taken on the basis of the probe panel’s report, the DC said.

Jharia MLA Ragini Singh also accompanied the parents to the DC’s office on Saturday when they lodged the complaints against the principal.

Jharia MLA Ragini Singh described the incident as “shameful and unfortunate”.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Ranchi:

A special PMLA court here on Saturday granted bail to suspended Jharkhand cadre IAS officer Pooja Singhal in a money laundering case.

She was given bail on the condition of furnishing two bonds of Rs 2 lakh each and depositing her passport.

Ms Singhal’s lawyer said that she was granted bail after the court heard her bail petition for two days.

Ms Singhal has been in custody since May 11, 2022, after raids were conducted at properties linked to her in connection with the money laundering case.

The case relates to alleged corruption in implementing MGNREGA, the Centre’s flagship scheme for rural employment.

The ED has accused Ms Singhal, a former state mines department secretary, of money laundering. The agency also seized over Rs 36 crore in cash linked to alleged illegal mining in two money laundering cases.

On February 10, 2023, the Supreme Court granted Ms Singhal interim bail for two months to enable her to take care of her ailing daughter.

Apart from the 2000 batch IAS officer, premises linked to her businessman husband, a chartered accountant associated with the couple, and others were also raided by the ED as part of the probe.

Ms Singhal was suspended following her arrest.

Bhubaneswar:

A couple from Bihar allegedly sold their four-year-old daughter to a childless couple in Odisha’s Pipili area for 40,000, police said on Wednesday.

Police rescued the child and detained six people – the parents of the girl, a couple that purchased her and two middlemen – in this connection.

The incident came to light when one Sarthak Mohanty of Tankapani area in Bhubaneswar filed a complaint with the police, alleging that a Bihar couple staying as a tenant in his house sold their four-year-old daughter to another couple in Pipili area.

Badagada Police Station IIC Trupti Ranjan Nayak said both the couple admitted that the girl was sold at Rs 40,000.

The girl’s parents earn their livelihood by working as daily labourers.

The police have also rescued the child, he said.

Childline director Benudhar Senapati that the girl is the man’s daughter from his first wife.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Ranchi:

A 25-year-old man, who works as a butcher, allegedly strangled to death his live-in partner in a forested area and chopped her body into 40 to 50 pieces in a forested area in Jharkhand’s Khunti district, police said on Wednesday.

The accused, identified as Naresh Bhengra, was arrested.

The matter came to light after around a fortnight after the killing when a stray dog was found with human body parts near Jordag village in Jariagarh police station on November 24.

Bhengra was in a live-in relationship with the deceased, a 24-year-old woman also from Khunti district, in Tamil Nadu for the past couple of years. Sometime back, he returned to Jharkhand, got married to another woman without telling his partner anything and went back to the southern state without his wife to join her.

“The brutal incident occurred on November 8 when they reached Khunti as the accused who had married another woman did not wish to take her home. Instead, he took her to a forest near his house at Jordag village in Jariagarh police station and chopped the body into pieces. The man has been arrested,” Khunti Superintendent of Police Aman Kumar told PTI.

Inspector Ashok Singh who investigated the case said the man worked in a butcher shop in Tamil Nadu and was expert in slicing chicken.

“He admitted chopping the body parts of the woman into 40 to 50 pieces before leaving those in the forest for wild animals to feast on. The police recovered several parts on November 24 after a dog in the area was seen with a hand,” Singh told PTI.

Singh said that the woman, who was unaware of his marriage, pressured him to return to Khunti. After reaching Ranchi, they boarded a train on November 24 and headed to the man’s village.

“Under a plan, the man took her to Khunti in an autorickshaw near his home and asked her to wait. He returned with sharp weapons and strangulated her with her dupatta after raping her. He then cut the body into 40 to 50 pieces and left for his home to live with his wife,” Singh said.

The woman, however, had informed her mother that she had boarded a train and would be living with her partner, the police officer said.

Following the recovery of body parts, a bag was also found in the forest with the murdered woman’s belongings including her Aadhaar card. The mother of the woman was called at the spot and she identified her daughter’s belongings.

“The mother suspected the man behind the crime who after being nabbed by the police admitted to chopping the woman into pieces,” the official added.

The incident has sent shockwaves among people in the region, with the Shraddha Walker murder case of 2022 still fresh in their memory.

Walker was killed by her live-in partner who chopped her body into pieces before dumping them in the jungle in South Delhi’s Mehrauli.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

The mandate that Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) had managed to get in Maharashtra during the parliament elections has been lost in the assembly elections. Not many were willing to say which way the election would turn this time. There was almost an agreement among political analysts and pollsters that the election was too close to call. But now it’s clear that much before the election, the voters had decided to vote for Mahayuti.

It is not an ordinary mandate. It is the best-ever performance by the BJP-led alliance.

In 2014, the BJP contested alone and won 122 seats, but in 2019, it contested along with Shiv Sena and had 161 seats together, whereas the Congress-led alliance had to satisfy itself with only 98 seats. This time, Mahayuti has more than 2/3 seats in its kitty. The BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP all performed better than expected. Now the question is, why has the MVA, which won 30 out of 48 seats in the parliamentary elections, failed so miserably in the assembly elections?

In Jharkhand, on the other hand, INDIA Bloc has managed to regain people’s confidence. This is a stupendous success considering the fact that Chief Minister Hemant Soren was jailed just before the general elections and was behind bars for six months. Once he was out, his trusted colleague Champai Soren deserted the party just before the assembly elections. Still, the JMM-led alliance is heading for a big win, unlike most state has seen before.

Two verdicts from two distant states tell a story: there is no uniform outcome and no single narrative. However, it can be said that women voters played a significant role in both states, and in each, direct cash transfers to women’s accounts proved decisive. In Maharashtra, the female voter turnout rose by 2.5% compared to the 2019 assembly elections, in contrast to male voters. In Maharashtra, the Ladki Bahin Scheme, and in Jharkhand, the Maiya Samman Yojna, both benefited the ruling coalitions.

Another noticeable pattern in both states is that those who won the Lok Sabha election were unable to replicate that performance in the assembly elections. In both states, the Lok Sabha results were reversed in the assembly elections. In Maharashtra, the MVA outperformed the Mahayuti in the parliamentary elections, but in the assembly elections, the Mahayuti reversed the trend. In Jharkhand, the NDA won 9 out of 14 Lok Sabha seats, but in the assembly elections, it was the INDIA alliance that defeated the NDA. This clearly underlines that Lok Sabha and assembly elections are fought on different issues and platforms, and it is erroneous to predict assembly election results based on Lok Sabha outcomes, or vice versa.

Maharashtra election is another example that Congress-led INDIA is not willing to learn any lesson. After the Parliament election, it was expected that Congress in Haryana and MVA in Maharashtra would have easy wins. But in both states, the BJP-led coalition belied all the expectations, and one can say with confidence that the Congress-led alliance has mastered the art of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Let’s not forget that in December 2023, Congress was expected to win MP and Chhattisgarh assembly elections. Whereas when no political pundit was willing to give a chance to the BJP in these two states, it turned the tables and came back with flying colours.

Similarly, the Congress was unable to win the Uttarakhand and Punjab assembly elections in 2022. Therefore, both INDIA bloc and, particularly, the Congress need to reflect and develop a winning strategy. I’m not denying that Congress had successes in Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana, but the issue remains: why lose a state that could have been easily won, and why is it that the BJP managed to turn a losing situation into a victory?

The Maharashtra election results could have far-reaching consequences, particularly for Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP). Operation Lotus had already split Shiv Sena and NCP, and the Lok Sabha election delivered a significant blow, not only to Narendra Modi at the centre but also to Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP. Despite receiving recognition from the Election Commission, had both parties lost in the assembly elections, their existence would have been seriously jeopardized. Now, the reverse scenario is possible. The Modi government at the centre and the BJP-led Mahayuti government in the state, with a mandate of more than two-thirds, will likely try to weaken both parties, aiming to claim sole ownership of the original Shiv Sena and NCP. Given the results, Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray will find it difficult to retain their MPs. Even the BJP may attempt to poach their MPs by engineering further splits in the parliamentary wings of both parties. If that happens, the BJP at the centre will edge closer to the majority mark in the Lok Sabha. Even if not, MLAs who have won on Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar’s party tickets could be lured to join the treasury benches.

I know it is too early to write the last chapter of Sharad Pawar’s biography, but it is also true that Sharad Pawar, who emerged as a hero in the Parliament election, is now a tragic figure. He has lost after having made an emotional appeal to voters that it was his last election. Sharad Pawar is already 84 years and it is expecting too much for him to remain relevant in 2029 when the next assembly election will be held.

On the other hand, Uddhav Thackeray is much younger, but it must be noted that in both the Lok Sabha and assembly elections, Shinde proved to be better equipped to carry forward Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy. Uddhav’s performance has been more than disappointing. He and his son, Aditya, will find it very difficult to mount a comeback. Blaming EVMs is poor politics. It makes no sense to blame the EVMs, insinuate any wrongdoing in the election, or propagate the idea that the electoral process has been manipulated unless there is concrete proof.

Finally, on the role of the RSS going forward. It was said that the RSS was less active during the 2024 general election and that was behind the BJP’s below-par performance. Does this mean the RSS’s role in the BJP’s affairs will now be more decisive?

(Ashutosh is the author of ‘Hindu Rashtra’ and co-founder of SatyaHindi.com)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author

Jharkhand is set to vote for 38 seats in the second and final phase of assembly elections on November 20, alongside Maharashtra. In the first phase, held on November 13, the state voted for 43 seats, primarily in Kolhan (14), South Chotanagpur (15), Palamu (9), and a few seats in North Chotanagpur (5). In the second phase, 20 seats in North Chotanagpur and 18 in Santhal Pargana will go to the polls.

The INDIA bloc aims to retain power, buoyed by its welfare schemes and the adivasi asmita (tribal pride) narrative. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), on the other hand, hopes to make a comeback, capitalising on allegations of non-performance and corruption against the Soren government. In the first phase, women voters outnumbered men by 4.8%. In fact, 37 of the 43 constituencies saw higher female voter turnout.

Phase 1 of polling in Jharkhand recorded a voter turnout of 66.65%, a 2.75 percentage point increase from the 2019 elections. Male voter turnout stood at 64.27%, while female turnout was 69.04%. The INDIA bloc has hailed the high turnout, claiming that women beneficiaries of the Maiyya Samman Yojana turned out in large numbers, giving them an edge. The NDA, however, attributes the high turnout to anti-incumbency sentiments.

I travelled through the state during Diwali and Chhath Puja and below are my findings.

Adivasi ‘Asmita’

The arrest of Chief Minister Hemant Soren has reignited the adivasi asmita (tribal pride) issue. In the 2024 general elections, tribals overwhelmingly voted against the NDA, with the INDIA bloc winning all five ST-reserved seats. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has successfully framed the narrative that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) jailed their popular Chief Minister as part of a political conspiracy. Hemant Soren has positioned himself as the preeminent tribal leader in Jharkhand. In response, the BJP is attempting to consolidate a coalition of tribal leaders, including Babulal Marandi, Arjun Munda, and Champai Soren, to counter Hemant and showcase its own tribal leadership.

Insider vs Outsider

The elections have turned into a battle between locals and outsiders. Tribals are economically disadvantaged, while outsiders occupy most government and private sector jobs and are generally more prosperous. Tribals accuse outsiders of seizing their land and prospering at their expense. The JMM is viewed as the party representing local interests, while the BJP is seen as representing the outsiders.

An Identity Battle

The lines of identity have become so sharply drawn that voters seem less concerned about the performance of their elected representatives. Despite extensive media debates on issues like anti-incumbency and MLA performance, I found that local voters were generally indifferent to these concerns, provided the MLA belonged to their caste or community. When I probed one local about the performance of their MLA, he responded by saying, “kaam kaun karta hai?” (Who works, after all?)

BJP’s Slogan

The BJP has adopted the slogan ‘Batenge to Katenge’ (divided we fall), which has polarised the election. Jharkhand has a Muslim population of 14.5% (as per the 2011 census), which is roughly equal to the national average. The BJP has raised concerns over issues like ‘love jihad’, accusing Muslim men of marrying tribal women and subsequently taking control of tribal land and local governance through tribal sarpanchs. The BJP has particularly emphasised this issue in Santhal Pargana, accusing the JMM of failing to prevent the infiltration of outsiders, which they claim has altered the region’s demographic makeup. The party has promised the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and hopes to make inroads in the region that was swept by the JMM-Congress-Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) alliance in 2019.

Congress A Weak Link?

In the 2019 elections, the Congress won 16 seats, mostly in the Chotanagpur division. The party has traditional strongholds in this region, although, over the years, many of these have shifted to the BJP. Just days before the polls, the Congress replaced its state president, Rajesh Thakur, who had made significant efforts to rebuild the party’s organisation. The Congress is contesting 37 seats in this election, but many view it as the “weak link” of the alliance.

Rise Of Kalpana Soren

The arrest of Hemant Soren propelled Kalpana Soren into the spotlight within the JMM. She took charge of the Lok Sabha campaign and became its star campaigner, connecting with women and young voters and energising the party cadre. Kalpana’s rallies often attract large crowds of tribal women, who relate to her discussions about the benefits of the Maiya Samman Yojana.

Schemes On Offer

The Soren government launched the Maiya Samman Yojana, modelled on the Laadli Bahin Yojana. Under this scheme, the government provides Rs 1,000 per month to 50 lakh women. Women voters are becoming an increasingly important demographic, and are playing a decisive role in elections. The BJP’s manifesto also includes the Go Go Yojana, while the INDIA bloc has promised to increase the cash dole in its manifesto.

Rise Of The Tiger

The rise of Jairam Mahato has shaken up Jharkhand politics. As a Kurmi leader, he has reignited the ‘insider vs outsider’ debate by demanding that the 1932 land records be used as the basis for the domicile policy. His rallies draw large crowds, particularly among the youth, and he has significantly impacted the INDIA bloc’s prospects in the Lok Sabha elections. In the assembly polls, he could pose a challenge to the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), a party that also represents Kurmis and has been pushing for their inclusion in the ST list.

Bread And Butter Issues

Rising prices, unemployment, and rural distress remain key issues in the state. Jharkhand is one of India’s most backward states, with many of its districts ranked among the 250 most backward in the country. Its per capita income is roughly half the national average. Although Jharkhand is rich in minerals, illegal mining and the lack of industrial development—exacerbated by its landlocked nature—have hindered economic growth.

Battle Of Alliances

The BJP has aligned with the AJSU, the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM), and the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), while the JMM has partnered with the Congress, the RJD and Left parties. Seamless vote transfer between alliance partners will be crucial.

In 2019, the BJP and the AJSU contested separately, leading to their defeat. Had they contested together, they could have won 41 of the 81 seats, securing a simple majority.

There are an average of 15 candidates in each constituency, and independents or smaller parties could play the role of spoilers. Micro-management and voter mobilisation could ultimately decide the outcome.

(Amitabh Tiwari is a political strategist and commentator. In his earlier avatar, he was a corporate and investment banker.)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author

Newly-appointed Delhi captain Ayush Badoni displayed his true potential with a sparkling century to keep Delhi on course for a first innings lead against Jharkhand on the third day of their group D Ranji Trophy match here on Friday. Known for his exploits at the IPL level for Lucknow Super Giants, Badoni showed his appetite for runs with an unbeaten 116 off 144 balls in Delhi’s day end score of 238 for 5 in reply to Jharkhand’s healthy first innings total of 382. Badoni has added 80 runs for the unbroken sixth wicket stand with Sumit Mathur (19 batting) but his job is far from over as Delhi need another 148 runs on the final day to take three more points and remain in contention for a quarter-final berth with two more matches to go.

The difference in quality between Badoni and some of his teammates was for everyone to see as he hit 11 fours and four sixes — two off former MI left-arm spinner Anukul Roy apart from 11 crisply hit boundaries.

Delhi were 98 for 4 at one stage with only Anuj Rawat (52) among the top-order making significant contribution.

This season’s designated skipper Himmat Singh (0), who was sacked after defeat against Chandigarh, continued his poor run of form and is expected to be replaced by Jonty Sidhu in the next game.

The first significant stand was 60 for the fifth wicket between Mayank Gusain (24) and Badoni.

The best part about Badoni’s batting was unlike his other colleagues, he didn’t get into a shell and counterpunched the Jharkhand bowlers with strokes all around the ground, never afraid to take the aerial route which he did while getting four maximums.

On the final day, the skipper would hope to get a double hundred but more importantly expect support from both Mathur and lower-order batter Siddhant Sharma, both capable players, who have already contributed with the bat earlier this season.

Brief Scores: In Delhi: Jharkhand 1st Innings 382 (Kumar Kushagra 156, Sharandeep Singh 66, Simarjeet Singh 3/52). Delhi 1st Innings 238/5 (Ayush Badoni 116 batting, Anuj Rawat 52).

In Chandigarh: Saurashtra 531/9 decl (Chirag Jani 198, Nishunk Birla 4/160). Chandigarh 249 (Rajangad Bawa 92, Jaydev Unadkat 3/50). (f/o) 184/7 (Ankit Kaushik 64 batting, Yuvraj Dodiya 3/87) In Raipur: Assam 1st Innings 289 and 58/1. Chattisgarh 500/9 decl (Ayush Pandey 211, Parvez Musaraf 3/22).

In Ahmedabad: Railways 229 and 169/5 (B Vivek Singh 63, Mohammed Saif 52 batting).

Tamil Nadu 438 (Mohamed Ali 91, C Andre Siddarth 78).

Ranchi:

Barhet, Jharkhand’s most high-profile assembly seat, stands at the crossroads of tradition and transformation. Chief Minister Hemant Soren, a two-time winner here, faces an invigorated challenge from BJP’s young candidate Gamaliyal Hembram. This contest is more than a political skirmish – it’s a reflection of tribal identity, legacy, and aspirations.

Historical Battleground

Nestled in the historical Santhal Pargana region, Barhet holds deep cultural and political significance. Known as Damin-e-Koh, or “lap of the mountain,” this land has been home to the Santhals since 1832 when the British designated it as their settlement area for farming. It was here, in 1855, that the Santhal Rebellion, or “Hool,” erupted against British exploitation, led by Sidho, Kanhu, Chand, and Bhairav.

Today, Barhet remains a Scheduled Tribes (reserved) seat, with Santhals and Pahadias making up 71 per cent of the electorate and Muslims comprising another 10 per cent. The bow-and-arrow symbol of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) holds a sacred place in the hearts of the tribal population, symbolising their identity and resistance. However, in this election, the loyalty tied to tradition is being questioned.

The Contenders: Soren vs Hembram

Hemant Soren, carrying the weight of state leadership, has spent limited time in Barhet during this campaign. Yet, his confidence remains unshaken. “Despite limited resources, people see the injustice we’ve faced. They will respond at the polls,” he said. However, his path to a third consecutive victory isn’t unchallenged.

Gamaliyal Hembram, a local leader and a former para-teacher, is leveraging his grassroots connection to mount a strong challenge. Known for his work in organising football tournaments and running a school from his home, Mr Hembram embodies the local ethos. Walking barefoot through villages in traditional attire, he asks voters whether they’ve benefited from government schemes. While his 2019 performance on an AJSU ticket yielded only 2,573 votes, his candidacy this time has BJP’s backing, adding new momentum to his campaign.

Barhet’s electorate, while deeply tied to traditional symbols, is beginning to raise critical questions. In tribal women’s gatherings, concerns about unfulfilled promises, water scarcity, and poor education facilities dominate the discourse.

“Water is a major issue,” says Vidhu Pahariya. “We have no schools or teachers,” echoes Chandu Pahariya. Their frustration stems from unaddressed basic needs, despite the promises made during previous campaigns.

Yet, perspectives shift closer to Barhet’s bus stand, where Muslim voters openly back Soren. Mohammad Arif Ansari points to roads, electricity, and water tanks as evidence of development under Soren’s leadership, while Mohammad Shamim adds, “Every locality has seen some improvement. Work is ongoing.”

Barhet’s political narrative is interwoven with its historical and cultural legacy. In the Barhet assembly constituency, there are a total of nine candidates in the fray, including Mr Soren. However, the real contest is a direct face-off between Mr Soren and Mr Hembram of the BJP.

Back in 1990, Hemlal Murmu wrested this seat from Congress candidate Thomas Hansda, and since then, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has maintained an unbroken hold over it. In 2004, when Hemlal Murmu became MP, the JMM fielded Thomas Soren from this seat.

In 2014, JMM secured 46.18 per cent of the votes here, compared to BJP’s 28.38 per cent. That year, Mr Soren received 62,515 votes, while BJP’s Hemlal Murmu managed 38,428 votes. In 2019, Mr Soren widened the margin further, winning 73,725 votes compared to BJP’s Simon Malto, who garnered 47,985 votes.

Mr Soren has consistently increased his victory margin. Despite this, Mr Hembram remains optimistic and confident about his chances.

“It is my duty to fight for the right to have a government by the people and for the people. Our deaf and dumb government has failed to deliver and violated the Constitution. Now, the people of Barhet will change the throne, crown, and the dishonest rule,” Mr Hembram said.

The BJP has amplified its rhetoric around Bangladeshi infiltrators, a divisive issue in the region. While Mr Hembram frames it as a fight for the rights of native minorities, Mr Soren dismisses it as an attempt to polarise voters and distract from real issues like education and healthcare.

As Barhet prepares to vote, the stakes go beyond political power. For Mr Soren, it’s about maintaining his connection to the tribal heartland while carrying the weight of the state leadership. For Mr Hembram, it’s a fight to reclaim the narrative and provide an alternative for the region’s underrepresented communities.

Barhet’s voters are caught between the pull of tradition and the push for change. As they weigh their options, this election could reshape the political and cultural landscape of one of Jharkhand’s most iconic constituencies.

Left-arm spinner Ninad Rathva came up with career-best match figures as Baroda crushed Meghalaya by an innings and 261 runs in under two days to earn a bonus point in their Ranji Trophy Group A match Thursday. If day one belonged to off-spinner Mahesh Pithiya, who grabbed 6/25 to dismiss the opponents for just 103 runs, Rathva wreaked havoc in the second innings, returning figures of 6/28 as the opponents were bundled out for 78 in just 17.5 overs. Rathva, 25, recorded match figures of 7/59, his best in the 14 first-class game he has played so far, while Mahesh added three more wickets to his first-innings haul of six to also finish with his career-best match haul of 9/71.

On a wicket that assisted turn, Baroda pressed the two spinners into service immediately after completing their innings at 442 early on day two. With a massive first-innings lead of 339 runs, Baroda went for the kill and, to their delight, saw the rival batters falling like ninepins.

A total of four Meghalaya batters went for duck, while five had single-digit figures with the injured last batter unable to take the field.

Former Baroda player Arpit Bhatewara, who now plays for Meghalaya, fought a lonely battle before he was finally dismissed by Rathva for 46 off 48 balls.

Earlier, Baroda, commencing at their overnight score of 308 for 6, flayed the feeble Meghalaya attack before being dismissed for 442 in 71.3 overs.

Overnight batter Shashwat Rawat, who was batting on 90, completed his century before he was dismissed for 121 off just 128 balls as Baroda crossed the 400-run mark. Rathva played an unbeaten cameo of 33 (19 balls) as the hosts made a mockery of the Meghalaya attack.

Kumar Kushagra’s brisk ton takes Jharkhand to 356/9 vs Delhi

Promising wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra struck a breezy unbeaten 133 to steer Jharkhand to 356 for 9 on the second day of their Ranji Trophy Group D match against Delhi here on Thursday.

The 20-year-old Kushagra, who was bought by Delhi Capitals for Rs 7.2 crores but released early this month after playing just four matches in 2024 IPL, hit 14 boundaries and five sixes during his strokeful 166-ball unbeaten innings.

Courtesy Kushagra’s aggressive ton, Jharkhand added 220 runs for the loss of six wickets from 70 overs played on Day 2 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The visitors had begun the day at 136 for 3.

Sharandeep Singh added just two runs to his overnight 64 to be the first Jharkhand batter to get out.

Coming out to bat at the fall of Sharandeep, Kushagra stitched 93 runs for the fifth wicket with captain Virat Singh (56 off 125 balls) to swell the visiting side’s total. He then shared another 59 runs with Manishi (14) for the eighth wicket to eventually take Jharkhand past the 350-run mark.

With just two days left in the match, Jharkhand have placed themselves in a strong position in the match.

For Delhi, Simarjeet Singh, Money Grewal and Sumit Mathur have so far taken two wickets apiece, while Siddhant Sharma and Ayush Badoni got a wicket each.

On Day 1 on Wednesday, Sharandeep scored a dogged half-century as Jharkhand batters were painstakingly slow in their approach.

They improved their run rate a bit on Thursday — above three per over.

Having lost to Chattisgarh in the last game, Delhi, in their final home game of the season, made wholesale changes under new skipper Ayush Badoni.

Brief Scores:

In Vadodara: Meghalaya 103 and 78 in 17.5 overs (Arpit Bhatewara 46; Mahesh Pithiya 3/46, Ninad Rathva 6/28) lost to Baroda 442 in 71.3 overs (Jyotsnil Singh 121, Shivalik Sharma 42, Mitesh Patel 51, Shashwat Rawat 121; Bijon Dey 3/123, Dippu Sangma 3/53) by an innings and 261 runs.

In Delhi: Jharkhand 1st Innings 356 for 9 in 125 overs (Sharandeep Singh 64, Kumar Kushagra 133 not out; Simarjeet Singh 2/43, Money Grewal 2/65, Sumit Mathur 2/52) vs Delhi.

In Cuttack: Maharashtra 162 and 78 for 3 in 27 overs (Sachin Dhas 38) vs Odisha 200 in 82.2 overs overs (Swastik Samal 116; Sandeep Pattnaik 41; Rajneesh Gurbani 3/38, Ramakrishna Ghosh 3/50). Maharashtra lead by 40 runs.

In Jammu: Tripura 165 and 170 for 7 in 46 overs (Jiwanjot Singh 45,Srinivas Sharath batting 39; Auqib Nabi 3/35) vs Jammu & Kashmir 175 in 57.4 overs (Shubham Khajuria 57; Manisankar Murasingh 5/68, Abhijit Sarkar 3/42). Tripura lead by 160 runs.

In Delhi: Services 240 in 81 overs (Mohit Ahlawat 76, Shubham Rohilla 56; Shardul Thakur 4/46, Mohit Avasthi 2/44) vs Mumbai 253 for 8 in 63 overs (Ayush Mhatre 116, Shreyas Iyer 47; Pulkit Narang 3/47). Muymbai lead by 13 runs.