In his previous Ranji Trophy innings, Ayush Badoni amassed a career-best score of 217. In his previous innings against Jharkhand, in the 2024-25 season, he had racked up 205. There was an air of inevitability, then, to the 26-year-old sparkling on day one of Delhi’s Ranji Elite Group-C duel against Jharkhand at the JSCA International Stadium.

On a balmy Monday in Jharkhand’s capital, Badoni brought up his sixth First Class hundred and remained unbeaten on 105 to steer the visitor to 309 for five at stumps.

As chanceless as Badoni’s ton was, he couldn’t have helped Delhi stage a commendable recovery without the company of Sumit Mathur, who contributed 50 in an unbroken partnership of 128 for the sixth wicket. A moment of fortune fell Mathur’s way as he was called back on 36 despite holing out at long-on because Anukul Roy had overstepped.

Other than this lapse, the partnership between Badoni and Mathur struck no false note. On a pitch where all five wickets fell to the tweakers, the Delhi skipper put on a masterclass in facing spin, cutting, driving and sweeping with regal ease. He consumed just 111 deliveries to reach the three-figure milestone.

Such authority seemed a distant possibility when Delhi was reduced to 181 for five. In the first session, Priyansh Arya and Sanat Sangwan were undone by off-spinners armed with a newish ball. Priyansh was castled by Kounain Quraishi while Sangwan was bowled in identical fashion by Utkarsh Singh.

Between lunch and tea, Delhi found itself in further strife. Yash Dhull’s full-blooded drive was brilliantly snaffled by Anukul on his follow-through. Ayush Doseja’s attempted drive off Quraishi was sliced as pacer Jatin Pandey ran back from cover point and put in a last-ditch dive to complete a stunning catch.

By the close, though, Badoni had not just taken firm control, but also shown signs that another big hundred could be in store.

The scores: Delhi —1st innings: Priyansh Arya b Quraishi 39, Sanat Sangwan b Utkarsh 37, Yash Dhull c & b Anukul 29, Ayush Doseja c Jatin b Quraishi 21, Ayush Badoni (batting) 106, Anuj Rawat b Utkarsh 18, Sumit Mathur (batting) 50; Extras (b-8, nb-1): 9; Total (for five wkts. in 90 overs): 309.

Fall of wickets: 1-56, 2-99, 3-123, 4-143, 5-181.

Jharkhand bowling: Jatin 9-2-30-0, Shubh 4-0-7-0, Utkarsh 23-4-63-2, Aditya 11-1-40-0, Kounain Quraishi 15-0-70-2, Anukul 28-2-91-1.

Toss: Delhi.