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Ranji Trophy: Shardul Thakur takes hat-trick, sends Balchander Anirudh, Sumit Kumar, Jaskirat Sachdeva back to pavilion

He ultimately finished with impressive figures of 4 for 43 from 11 overs, three of which were maidens.

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Shardul Thakur’s resurgence in the Ranji Trophy continued with a breathtaking display of fast bowling against Meghalaya at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy in Mumbai on January 30. His performance was pivotal in shaping Mumbai’s crucial final-round match, a contest directly impacting their chances of reaching the quarter-finals. Thakur’s devastating spell began early, claiming a hat-trick in just the second over of the match after Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane elected to field first.

The Mumbai all-rounder’s hat-trick was a masterclass in swing bowling. He first dismissed left-hander Balchander Anirudh with a fuller-length delivery that swung sharply into the stumps. He then outwitted Sumit Kumar, tempting him into a careless shot that ended with a catch in the slip cordon.

The hat-trick ball was equally impressive, swinging to force Jaskirat Singh Sachdeva into a poke, resulting in an inside edge onto the stumps. This achievement marked Thakur’s fifth Ranji Trophy hat-trick for Mumbai, cementing his place in the tournament’s history. He ultimately finished with impressive figures of 4 for 43 from 11 overs, three of which were maidens.

Thakur’s impact extended beyond his hat-trick. His early wicket in the first over, removing Nishanta Chakraborty for a duck, triggered a catastrophic collapse for Meghalaya. The Meghalaya batting lineup crumbled under the pressure, eventually being bundled out for a meagre 86 runs in just 24.3 overs. Other Mumbai bowlers contributed to the rout, with Mohit Avasthi taking three wickets, Sylvester D’Souza securing two, and Shams Mulani chipping in with one. The low score was a testament to Thakur’s early dominance and the overall effectiveness of the Mumbai bowling attack.

Thakur’s performance holds even greater significance when considered in the context of his recent match against Jammu and Kashmir. In that game, while other prominent Mumbai batsmen struggled, Thakur waged a lone battle, scoring a crucial 60 in the first innings and following it up with a magnificent century in the second. His all-round contributions underscore his importance to the Mumbai team. His current form makes him a key player in their hopes for a deep run in the tournament.

In contrast to Thakur’s triumphant return, KL Rahul’s much-anticipated Ranji Trophy comeback for Karnataka ended in relative disappointment in Bengaluru. Despite a composed innings of 26 runs (from 37 balls, including four boundaries), he was dismissed by Haryana’s in-form bowler, Anshul Kamboj. While his performance wasn’t a complete failure, it lacked the fireworks expected of a player of his caliber.

Karnataka, however, still managed to dominate the match thanks to impressive performances from Mayank Agarwal (who narrowly missed a century, falling nine runs short), and Devdutt Padikkal. The young Ravichandran Smaran, fresh off a double century in the previous round, also contributed significantly to the team’s total after lunch.

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IPL 2026 playoff race tightens as RCB and CSK feature in key qualification projections

RCB and CSK feature in updated IPL 2026 playoff qualification projections, with Bengaluru at 92.6% and Chennai at 41.7% as the race tightens.

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The IPL 2026 playoff race is intensifying as teams move deeper into the league stage, with qualification scenarios highlighting a closely contested battle for the top four spots.

According to recent playoff probability projections reported in media coverage, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) currently hold a strong position with a 92.6% chance of qualifying for the playoffs. Their consistent performances have placed them among the leading contenders for a top-four finish.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK), meanwhile, remain in the mix but face a more challenging path ahead. Their qualification probability stands at 41.7%, meaning the five-time champions will need strong results in their remaining fixtures to stay in contention.

The updated projections underline how competitive the tournament has become, with small changes in form significantly impacting playoff chances at this stage of the league.

While only select team probabilities have been highlighted in the available data, the overall playoff race remains open, with several teams still competing for the remaining qualification spots as the league phase progresses.

The coming matches are expected to play a decisive role in shaping the final top four standings for IPL 2026.

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Who is Sahil Parakh? Teenager makes IPL debut for Delhi Capitals vs RCB

Sahil Parakh, an 18-year-old batter from Maharashtra, made his IPL debut for Delhi Capitals against RCB in IPL 2026.

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Sahil Parakh, an emerging batter from Maharashtra, made his Indian Premier League debut for Delhi Capitals during their 2026 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.

The 18-year-old was handed his maiden cap as the franchise made changes to its playing XI, looking to test fresh talent in a crucial stage of the tournament.

Opens innings alongside KL Rahul

Parakh was included as an opening batter and partnered experienced wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul at the top. The move reflected Delhi Capitals’ intent to experiment with their batting combination and give exposure to young players in high-pressure games.

Short stay at the crease

The debut outing did not last long for the youngster, as he was dismissed early in the innings. Despite the brief appearance, the opportunity marked an important milestone in his career.

Promising name from domestic circuit

Parakh is a left-handed batter who has impressed in age-group and domestic cricket, earning attention for his performances at the state level. His selection in the Delhi Capitals squad for IPL 2026 underlines the franchise’s focus on nurturing young talent for the future.

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Who is Praful Hinge? Young pacer who made instant impact with match-turning IPL debut spell

Praful Hinge grabbed attention with a three-wicket over on his IPL debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

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Praful Hinge bowling for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL

Praful Hinge is an emerging Indian fast bowler who grabbed attention after a remarkable debut in the Indian Premier League. Representing Sunrisers Hyderabad, the young pacer made headlines by taking three wickets in a single over, a rare and impactful feat in T20 cricket.

His performance came against Rajasthan Royals, where he turned the game with a decisive spell, announcing his arrival on the big stage.

Domestic cricket background

Hinge hails from Nagpur and has been associated with the Vidarbha cricket team in domestic cricket. Like many cricketers rising through India’s competitive system, his progress at the domestic level paved the way for his IPL opportunity.

While detailed statistics from his domestic career remain limited in public reports, his selection in the IPL reflects recognition of his potential and performances.

Bowling style and strengths

Praful Hinge is a right-arm fast bowler known for:

  • Maintaining a disciplined line and length
  • Ability to generate movement off the pitch
  • Effectiveness in short, impactful spells

His debut spell highlighted composure under pressure, especially in a high-intensity league like the IPL.

Breakthrough IPL moment

Making an immediate impact in the IPL is never easy, but Hinge’s three-wicket over on debut stands out as a defining moment. Performances like these often play a key role in shaping a young cricketer’s early career and gaining attention from teams and selectors.

A promising start

Praful Hinge’s debut has positioned him as a young fast bowler to watch. While it is still early in his career, such impactful performances suggest potential for further opportunities in domestic and franchise cricket.

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