Priyansh Arya says he can play all formats after a 199 in Ranji Trophy
Priyansh Arya was dismissed for 199 while batting for Delhi against Gujarat in a Ranji Trophy match at the Palam B Ground in New Delhi on 2026-10-21, and afterwards rejected the label of a white-ball specialist. "I consider myself a player of all three formats," he said following the innings.
Arya's reputation has been forged largely in the IPL, where Punjab Kings bought him for Rs 3.80 crore ahead of the 2025 season and he produced high-impact performances on a big stage. He scored 475 runs in 17 matches at a strike rate of 179.25 in 2025, including a 103 off 42 balls against Chennai Super Kings, and followed that with 364 runs in 14 matches in 2026 at a strike rate of 211.63 with three half-centuries; across his first two IPL campaigns he accumulated 839 runs at a combined strike rate of nearly 192. Those numbers explain why his aggressive white-ball batting is widely recognised.
In only his third first-class appearance, the 25-year-old batted 221 balls, struck 24 fours and six sixes, reached his hundred off 126 deliveries and finished with 199 after scoring the next 99 from 95 balls; he was dismissed by Manan Hingrajia in the 77th over, one run short of a double century. "Obviously, it is very special because it's my first hundred in this format. I would want to score more and more for my team and win matches, so for me, it is very special," Arya said about the innings.
Delhi declared at 648 for six, Ayush Badoni making 217, and Gujarat replied with 479 in 174.1 overs with Manan Hingrajia scoring 123 and Hrithik Shokeen taking five wickets for 143 runs. Asked to follow on, Gujarat reached 15 for one in eight overs before the match ended in a draw; Delhi took three points for securing the first-innings lead while Gujarat earned one.
Arya said the knock was intended to show his red-ball credentials as well as his white-ball strengths. "No sir, that is just what people saw because they saw me playing white-ball cricket. I have played red-ball cricket too. I scored runs in the Under-23 and Under-19 age-group tournaments as well. I consider myself a player of all three formats," he said, and explained his tactical adjustments: "Early in the morning, on the first day, with the new ball, you have to play the ball as close to the body as possible. As I got set, I kept playing my shots, so that benefited me." He added, "We play session by session. I keep talking to the coaches from session to session, and playing session by session really helps."
On his preferred batting position and recent exposures, Arya said he favours opening but has adapted when required. "No sir, I am an opener. Last year, both openers were doing well, and our captain Ayush Badoni went to play for India A, so I got a chance in the middle order. Wherever I get a chance, I prefer opening," he said, and reflected on his India A experience: "When you wear the India A clothes, you feel proud, and it is a lot of fun." He also addressed his mental development: "Mentally, as I told you, I have more trust in myself that I can do it. Earlier, there used to be a few doubts, but now there are none. The more positive thoughts you put in your mind, the more it helps you in cricket."
Arya's 199 also carried a statistical footnote: he became the first Indian batter since KL Rahul in 2016 to be dismissed for 199 in red-ball cricket, Rahul having scored 199 against England in the Chennai Test. The missed double century was noted in reports, but the innings was presented as evidence of Arya's ability to spend time at the crease while retaining his scoring intent.
Arya finished the interview emphasising team objectives rather than individual milestones: "Not runs, sir, just to make the team win. That is the only target." Delhi's first-innings lead in the match earned them three points in the Ranji Trophy standings while Gujarat took one point for their response.
