Ranji Trophy 2026-27: Saharan’s ton keeps Punjab afloat against Chhattisgarh, Gill falls cheaply on domestic return

File photo: Uday Saharan’s century rescued Punjab from 68 for three against Chhattisgarh. | Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

Uday Saharan’s sweeping brilliance (106 batting, 179b, 13x4) eclipsed the Ranji Trophy return of Shubman Gill and prevented Punjab innings from capsizing on the first day against Chhattisgarh at the New PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh on Sunday.

The 22-year-old’s proficient use of the sweep and slog sweep shots tamed Chhattisgarh’s left-arm orthodox salvo of Dharmendrasinh Jadeja and Ajay Mandal, which accounted for 51 overs on day one, rescuing Punjab from 68 for three and taking it to 269 for four at stumps.

Vihaan Malhotra (40, 77b, 4x4) and Harnoor Pannu had seen out the new ball with yet another 50-run opening partnership. But Jadeja’s initial trick of bowling around the wicket to the two lefties, targeting the pads and hoping they snaffle either at short leg or leg slip, barely worked.

Mandal, however, changed the tempo, bowling from over the wicket and drawing sharper turn off the surface. He rushed Pannu on a flick and trapped him leg-before. Jadeja followed the playbook and drew the same error from Vihaan.

Chhattisgarh truly had its tail up after it wrapped up Gill’s much anticipated return inside five deliveries. Mandal invited Gill for a front-footed defence, and got the delivery to zip straight through his gate and crash into his off-stump.

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It was then that Saharan took matters into his own hands and put up a 130-run partnership with Prabhsimran Singh (62, 133b, 6x4, 1x6).

Chhattisgarh coach Amay Khurasiya warned Jadeja of Saharan’s sweep, but the Punjab captain paid no heed and deployed the stroke the first time he faced Chhattisgarh’s new joinee. Saharan was alert enough to use his crease too, pulling Mandal for another boundary off a long hop.

The attack was more freewheeling in the second session which began with Saharan slogging and then cutting Jadeja for eight runs in the same over.

The intent rubbed off on Prabhsimran too, who slog swept another left-arm orthodox Vikalp Tiwary for back-to-back boundaries. Uday stuck to his guns against Tiwary and Mandal too, pocketing boundaries through the on-side with his sweep shot.

Prabhsimran did not miss out against pacers either. He first drove captain Sandeep Warrier down the ground and then charged down to hoist him over long on.

The only blemish in the second session, in which Punjab accumulated 109 runs, came in the last over when Prabhsimran misread Jadeja’s length and was pinned on his back foot.

The dismissal did not throw Saharan off his tracks, and he put his sweep to use twice on the way to his third First-Class century in 168 balls.

For a second straight game, Salil Arora showed there’s more in his arsenal than the unrestricted hits that earned him a reputation in the IPL. The wicketkeeper-batter held one end with his unbeaten 75-ball 38 that allowed Punjab to put another 71 in the last session without further damage.

Published on Oct 18, 2026

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