Irani Cup: Smaran spearheads RoI fightback with a sublime hundred
R. Smaran scored an unbeaten 126 to lead a fightback for the Rest of India against Jammu & Kashmir during the Irani Cup. His performance, supported by Mukesh Choudhary, helped the team reach a commanding position on the third day of the match.
Why it matters
This match is a significant domestic cricket event in India, serving as a platform for players to showcase their talent to national selectors.
As soon as a juicy full toss met the full face of his bat and thudded into the ropes past mid-off, R. Smaran took off his helmet, held his arms aloft and looked towards the heavens in gratitude. The celebration was as classy as the innings that sparked it.
The 23-year-old southpaw from Bengaluru had reached the three-figure mark on six previous occasions in his fledgling First Class career, but this was arguably his finest of the lot. It came under trying circumstances, with Rest of India in strife at 130 for four — the lead just 89 — in its second innings against Jammu & Kashmir when he walked in. Rishabh Pant & Co. then slid further to 197 for eight, seemingly leaving RoI on the brink of defeat on day three of the Irani Cup fixture at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium on Saturday.
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