Sharandeep, playing with maturity beyond his years, remained unbeaten on 128 off 269 balls, registering his second first-class century. He was well supported by Aryaman Sen, who was batting on 64 off 126 deliveries at the close of play.
Solid Start After UP Opt to Field
Uttar Pradesh captain Aryan Juyal won the toss and chose to field, hoping to exploit early conditions. However, the decision did not yield immediate dividends as Jharkhand’s openers settled in quickly. Sharandeep and fellow opener Shikhar Mohan laid a strong foundation with assured stroke play and effective strike rotation.
Shikhar Mohan played a fluent knock, scoring 78 runs off 123 balls, as the right-left opening combination kept the Uttar Pradesh bowlers under sustained pressure. The duo added 147 runs for the first wicket, giving Jharkhand a commanding start.
Partnerships Put Jharkhand in Control
After Shikhar’s dismissal, Sharandeep continued to dominate the proceedings, forging another crucial partnership. Alongside Aryaman Sen, he added 132 runs for the second wicket, further consolidating Jharkhand’s position. The pair displayed patience and composure, ensuring the momentum remained firmly with the visitors.
Group A Standings and Stakes
Jharkhand currently sit third in the Group A points table with 18 points, while Uttar Pradesh are placed fourth with 17 points. Vidarbha lead the group with 25 points, followed by Andhra Pradesh on 22 points. For Uttar Pradesh, only a win in this match can keep their knockout qualification hopes alive.
Key Absences for Uttar Pradesh
The hosts are missing key players, most notably Rinku Singh, who is part of India’s squad for the ongoing T20 International series against New Zealand. The left-handed batter has been in fine form this season, scoring 341 runs, including two consecutive centuries, which helped Uttar Pradesh secure vital first-innings leads in earlier matches. Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel is also absent from the Uttar Pradesh lineup.
With Sharandeep firmly set and Jharkhand’s batting depth yet to be tested, the visitors will look to build a substantial first-innings total on Day Two, while Uttar Pradesh will aim for early breakthroughs to claw their way back into the contest.
