Rajat Paliwal’s unbeaten 111 steers Services to 266 against Delhi in Ranji Trophy Group C

Rajat Paliwal remained unbeaten on 111 as Services recovered to 266 in their first innings against Delhi on day one of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match at the Airforce Complex Ground in Palam, New Delhi on Monday. Services were 44 for four early on but finished the day having lost all 10 wickets, with Paliwal stranded at the close.

Paliwal, in his 15th first-class season and captaining Services, faced 196 balls in an innings that became the backbone of his side’s total after they elected to bat. Virender Nepal, the No. 11, was bowled by Aman Chaudhary with under 10 minutes remaining in the day. Services posted 266 in 88 overs.

The team recovered from a precarious 44 for four in 17.4 overs, Paliwal adding 69 for the fifth wicket with Mohit Ahlawat and later a 70-run ninth-wicket stand with Pulkit Narang. Ahlawat scored 33 and Narang 30 as Paliwal shepherded the lower order to rebuild the innings.

A warm morning saw pace exploit early moisture, with Navdeep Saini making the most of the fresh deck; off the second ball of the first over he induced a nick from Shubham Rohilla that Yash Dhull took at first slip, and Saini later had Ravi Chauhan caught by Anuj Rawat. Saini finished with three wickets.

Spin also played a significant part for Delhi, Aman Chaudhary returning four for 79 and opening his account with the caught-behind dismissal of Nitin Tanwar. Paliwal used precise footwork against the spinners, often stepping out and lofting the turning ball over the infield.

Services — 1st innings: Shubham Rohilla c Dhull b Saini 0, Nitin Tanwar c Rawat b Aman 22, Ravi Chauhan c Rawat b Saini 7, Vineet Dhankhar c Badoni b Shokeen 4, Rajat Paliwal (not out) 111, Mohit Ahlawat st Rawat b Aman 33, Nakul Sharma c Priyansh b Aman 12, Arjun Sharma c Sangwan b Shokeen 12, Jayant Goyat b Saini 17, Pulkit Narang c Rawat b Lakra 30, Virender Nepal b Aman 0; Extras (b-8, lb-8, w-1, nb-1): 18; Total (in 88 overs): 266. Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-20, 3-27, 4-44, 5-113, 6-131, 7-158, 8-193, 9-263.

Delhi bowling: Saini 19-1-61-3, Aman 31-4-79-4, Shokeen 21-1-61-2, Lakra 5-0-10-1, Badoni 4-0-21-0, Mathur 6-1-10-0, Priyansh 2-0-8-0.

The precise value of Paliwal’s innings will be revealed when Delhi responds with the bat on Tuesday.