Ranji Trophy | Rohera’s long-awaited hundred puts Pondicherry in the driver’s seat

Ajay Rohera’s long wait has ended. Seven years after making headlines with a knock of 267 for Madhya Pradesh against Hyderabad in the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy season, then a record score by a debutant in First Class cricket, Rohera finally added to his three-figure tally at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday. Rohera’s second century in his 18th appearance — an unbeaten 107 off 139 deliveries — came for Pondicherry on day two of its Elite Group-D duel against Delhi. It took his team to 240 for four at stumps in response to the host’s first-innings total of 294.

The opener’s celebration on reaching the landmark was boisterous. After reverse-sweeping off-spinner Hrithik Shokeen for a boundary to move from 97 to 101 late in the final session, he let out a raucous roar and waved his bat vigorously in the direction of his dressing room. Before he could strap on his helmet again and resume the innings, rather amusingly, his sprained neck on account of the celebration called for the attention of the physio.

“I just sprained my neck a little while celebrating. But it was a normal celebration for me. This is how I like to celebrate,” the 28-year-old, who joined Pondicherry last season, said.

Rohera’s effort has put the visitor, just trailing by 54 runs with six wickets intact, in the driver’s seat. He was well-supported by Paras Ratnaparkhe and Anand Bais, who contributed 43 and 48 respectively. Rohera, who is from Dewas in Madhya Pradesh and still trains under former India batter Amay Khurasiya in Indore, was particularly fluent with his cuts and drives.

Given how Pondicherry responded, Delhi should be miffed at its effort with the bat. Having resumed the day on 248 for six, it added just 46 runs, leaving Sumit Mathur stranded on 71. Left-arm spinner Sagar Udeshi ran through Delhi’s tail in a deadly spell of 3.1-2-4-4.

The scores: Delhi — 1st innings: Arpit Rana lbw b Mathew 0, Sanat Sangwan c Siddhaant b Mathew 99, Yash Dhull c Sidhaant b Aman 19, Priyansh Arya st Sidhaant b Jayant 40, Ayush Doseja c Rohera b Mathew 17, Sumit Mathur (not out) 71, Anuj Rawat c sub (Premraj) b Jayant 5, Hrithik Shokeen c Sidhaant b Udeshi 30, Sumit Kumar lbw b Udeshi 0, Simarjeet Singh b Udeshi 0, Money Grewal st Sidhaant b Udeshi 4; Extras (b-4, lb-4, w-1): 9; Total (in 94.1 overs): 294.

Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-30, 3-94, 4-123, 5-229, 6-236, 7-275, 8-279, 9-279.

Pondicherry bowling: Gourav 9-3-20-0, Mathew 22-5-69-3, Datey 20-2-55-0, Aman 10-0-44-1, Udeshi 13.1-3-36-4, Jayant 20-4-62-2.

Pondicherry — 1st innings: Vedant Bhardwaj b Simarjeet 10, Ajay Rohera (batting) 107, Paras Ratnaparkhe c Rawat b Mathur 43, Anand Bais c Doseja b Shokeen 48, Sidhaant Addhatrao c Rawat b Simarjeet 14, Aman Khan (batting) 13; Extras (b-4, lb-1): 5; Total (for four wkts. in 57 overs): 240.

Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-110, 3-203, 4-224.

Delhi bowling: Sumit 5-1-29-0, Simarjeet 14-4-50-2, Grewal 12-1-44-0, Shokeen 14-0-75-1, Mathur 10-2-27-1, Arpit 2-0-10-0.