For a 19-year-old, a century on Ranji Trophy debut is special. But Yash Dhull made it an exceptional achievement by registering his second hundred in his first-ever first-class game.
Dhull’s unbeaten 113 on the fourth and final day was the highlight of the drawn Elite Group H match between Delhi and Tamil Nadu in Guwahati.
The Delhi youngster, who led India U-19 to World Cup triumph recently, became only the third batter after Nari Contractor (for Gujarat, 152 and 102n.o., 1952-53) and Virag Awate (for Maharashtra, 126 and 112, 2012-13) to score a hundred in each innings on Ranji Trophy debut.
Opening the innings, Dhull and partner Dhruv Shorey (107 off 165 balls) batted for 60.5 overs to take Delhi to 228 without loss in their second innings. Tamil Nadu had taken the first innings lead, overhauling Delhi’s 452 with a score of 494.
After the game, Delhi coach Raj Kumar Sharma, who also happens to be the childhood coach of Virat Kohli, said Dhull should be fast-tracked into the Indian team.
“He is ready for the next level game-wise. I would like to fast track him. When he spends time with senior players in the India set-up, he will only become a better player,” Sharma said.
“Yash has shown he can dominate in white-ball cricket and at the same time, has the game to do well in the longer version.”
In Ahmedabad, Cheteshwar Pujara struck an uncharacteristic 83-ball 91 for Saurashtra against Mumbai. The Elite Group D match ended in a draw with Saurashtra reaching 372/9 when the stumps were drawn on the fourth day.
