The long wait is over for Ajay Rohera! Seven years after his sensational debut innings of 267 runs for Madhya Pradesh in the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy season – a record for any First Class debutant – Rohera has finally added another three-figure score to his name. This time, playing for Pondicherry at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday, he delivered an unbeaten 107 off just 139 balls. This crucial knock came on day two of the Elite Group-D clash against Delhi, propelling his team to a strong 240 for four at stumps, in response to Delhi’s first-innings total of 294.
Rohera’s celebration upon reaching his second First Class century was anything but subdued. After elegantly reverse-sweeping off-spinner Hrithik Shokeen for a boundary to move from 97 to 101 late in the session, he let out a powerful roar and vigorously waved his bat towards his dressing room. Amusingly, the intensity of his celebration even led to a slight neck sprain, requiring a physio’s attention before he could strap his helmet back on and continue his brilliant innings.
“I just sprained my neck a little while celebrating. But it was a normal celebration for me. This is how I like to celebrate,” shared the 28-year-old, who joined Pondicherry last season.
Rohera’s exceptional performance has firmly placed Pondicherry in the driver’s seat, now trailing by only 54 runs with six wickets still in hand. He received excellent support from Paras Ratnaparkhe, who scored 43, and Anand Bais, who added 48 runs. Hailing from Dewas in Madhya Pradesh and continuing his training under former India batter Amay Khurasiya in Indore, Rohera displayed particular fluency with his precise cuts and drives.
Considering Pondicherry’s strong reply, Delhi will likely be frustrated with their batting effort. Resuming the day at 248 for six, they managed to add only 46 more runs, leaving Sumit Mathur stranded on 71. Left-arm spinner Sagar Udeshi was instrumental in dismantling Delhi’s tail, delivering a devastating spell of 3.1-2-4-4.
The scores: Delhi — 1st innings: Arpit Rana lbw b Mathew 0, Sanat Sangwan c Siddhaant b Mathew 99, Yash Dhull c Sidhaant b Aman 19, Priyansh Arya st Sidhaant b Jayant 40, Ayush Doseja c Rohera b Mathew 17, Sumit Mathur (not out) 71, Anuj Rawat c sub (Premraj) b Jayant 5, Hrithik Shokeen c Sidhaant b Udeshi 30, Sumit Kumar lbw b Udeshi 0, Simarjeet Singh b Udeshi 0, Money Grewal st Sidhaant b Udeshi 4; Extras (b-4, lb-4, w-1): 9; Total (in 94.1 overs): 294.
Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-30, 3-94, 4-123, 5-229, 6-236, 7-275, 8-279, 9-279.
Pondicherry bowling: Gourav 9-3-20-0, Mathew 22-5-69-3, Datey 20-2-55-0, Aman 10-0-44-1, Udeshi 13.1-3-36-4, Jayant 20-4-62-2.
Pondicherry — 1st innings: Vedant Bhardwaj b Simarjeet 10, Ajay Rohera (batting) 107, Paras Ratnaparkhe c Rawat b Mathur 43, Anand Bais c Doseja b Shokeen 48, Sidhaant Addhatrao c Rawat b Simarjeet 14, Aman Khan (batting) 13; Extras (b-4, lb-1): 5; Total (for four wkts. in 57 overs): 240.
Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-110, 3-203, 4-224.
Delhi bowling: Sumit 5-1-29-0, Simarjeet 14-4-50-2, Grewal 12-1-44-0, Shokeen 14-0-75-1, Mathur 10-2-27-1, Arpit 2-0-10-0.