Priyansh Arya missed out on a maiden first-class double century by the narrowest of margins, but his superb knock put Delhi in a commanding position on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match against Gujarat as they reached 381/4 on Sunday. Arya looked in complete control throughout his innings, bringing up his century off 126 balls with 15 fours and two sixes. He reached the landmark by nudging a hip-high delivery from Chintan Gaja towards deep square leg. Fresh from India’s A white-ball series against Australia A, where he featured in just one match, Arya quickly adapted to the demands of red-ball cricket on a batting-friendly surface.
The highlight of Delhi’s innings, after electing to bat, was Arya’s 234-run fourth-wicket partnership with captain Ayush Badoni, who remained unbeaten on 115 off 149 balls, with 11 fours and two sixes. In another Group C match in Delhi, 15 wickets fell on the opening day as a Mohammed Shami-less Bengal hit back after being bowled out for 184 against Services.
