Delhi’s Sanat Sangwan plays a flowing drive through the off-side during the Ranji Trophy match against Himachal Pradesh at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on October 25, 2025.
| Photo Credit: SHASHI SHEKHAR KASHYAP
On day one of its first home game of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, Delhi took advantage of a placid pitch to get into a dominant position against Himachal Pradesh.
At the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday, Arpit Rana, Sanat Sangwan, Yash Dhull and Ayush Doseja scored half-centuries as the host reached 306 for four in 86 overs at stumps.
If there is a tinge of frustration from the day’s proceedings for Delhi, it will be Arpit, Sangwan and Dhull not converting their starts into three-figure scores. But the 23-year-old Doseja, who is unbeaten on 51, has an opportunity to go big when play resumes on Sunday morning. The left-handed batter smashed a double hundred against Hyderabad in the previous round on his First Class debut.
Delhi player Arpit Rana celebrates after scoring a half century against Himachal Pradesh during their Ranji Trophy match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on October 25, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
SHASHI SHEKHAR KASHYAP
The tone for the day was set by Arpit and Sangwan, who combined for a solid opening stand of 103 runs. Arpit may have been under some pressure going into the contest, given that his eight innings in this format had yielded just 84 runs at 10.5.
But the 21-year-old managed to overcome his jitters and contribute 64 off 110 balls. Sangwan and Dhull built on the platform by adding 93 runs for the second wicket.
While Sangwan’s patience over long periods was again on display, Dhull was in a punishing mood. The No. 3 struck some exquisite boundaries on his way to a 66-ball 61.
Delhi player Yash Dhull in action against Himachal Pradesh during the Ranji Trophy match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on October 25, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
SHASHI SHEKHAR KASHYAP
When he was caught by wicketkeeper Ankush Bains off Arpit Guleria, Himachal strung together a good period by also claiming the wickets of Ayush Badoni and Sangwan in quick succession. Badoni made just 15 before falling to Vaibhav Arora.
At 235 for four, the onus was on Doseja and Sumit Mathur to wrest back the initiative in the final session. The two left-hand batters delivered as required, putting together an unbroken stand of 71 runs for the fifth wicket.
The scores: Delhi — 1st innings: Arpit Rana c Bains b Divesh 64, Sanat Sangwan c Bains b Divesh 79, Yash Dhull c Bains b Guleria 61, Badoni c Kalsi b Arora 15, Ayush Doseja (batting) 51, Sumit Mathur (batting) 32; Extras (w-2, lb-2): 4; Total (for four wickets in 86 overs): 306.
Fall of wickets: 1-103, 2-196, 3-218, 4-235.
Himachal bowling: Arora 16-2-56-1, Guleria 16-2-58-1, Divesh 16-4-42-2, Negi 21-0-73-0, Dagar 14-0-61-0, Vashisht 3-0-14-0.
Toss: Himachal.
Published – October 25, 2025 06:08 pm IST
