Vadodara/Jamshedpur, Nov 8: Jharkhand batter Kumar Kushagra produced a brilliant performance on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match against Baroda at the Kotambi Stadium. Showing patience and class, Kushagra remained unbeaten on 133 runs off 225 balls, steering Jharkhand to a solid 327 for 5 at stumps on Day 1. His fine innings included 13 boundaries and three sixes.
Baroda, after winning the toss, opted to field first and made an early breakthrough when Sharandeep Singh was dismissed for 9 with the score at 16. Batting at one drop, Kushagra steadied the innings with crucial partnerships in the middle order. Captain Ishan Kishan contributed 28 runs before being caught behind, while Virat Singh played a composed knock of 46 before being dismissed by Raj Lambi.
Robin Minz provided valuable support, playing an aggressive innings of 79 runs off 90 balls, taking Jharkhand past the 300-run mark before getting out at 322/5.
For Baroda, Rasikh Salam and Mahesh Pithiya claimed two wickets each, while Atit Sheth bowled tightly without success.
At stumps, Jharkhand are 327 for 5 after the two batters added 135 runs for the fifth wicket.
Jharkhand ended the day with a healthy run rate of 3.71 and will look to build on when play resumes on Sunday. The four-day match will continue until November 11.
