Manan Hingrajia produced a determined century to help Gujarat recover from a difficult position against Delhi in their 2026–27 Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match. His unbeaten 108 gave Gujarat much-needed stability after early wickets and helped the team reach 363/5 by the end of the third day’s play.
Delhi had established a commanding position by declaring their first innings at 648/6. Priyansh Arya scored 199, while captain Ayush Badoni made 217, putting Gujarat’s bowlers under pressure for much of the opening innings.
Gujarat needed a patient response to remain competitive. Hingrajia delivered exactly that, spending long periods at the crease and building valuable partnerships with Jaymeet Patel and Chintan Gaja. Although Gujarat still trailed by 285 runs at stumps, Hingrajia’s innings prevented Delhi from taking complete control of the match.
His performance highlighted the importance of patience, concentration, and teamwork in first-class cricket.
Delhi’s Huge Total Creates a Difficult Challenge
Delhi dominated their first innings at the Air Force B Ground in Palam, New Delhi. Their batters combined aggressive stroke play with long partnerships, leaving Gujarat’s bowling attack with few opportunities to build sustained pressure.
Priyansh Arya was one of the standout performers. The opener scored 199 runs, narrowly missing a double century. His innings included 24 fours and six sixes, demonstrating his ability to attack while maintaining control.
Captain Ayush Badoni continued Delhi’s dominance with a magnificent 217 from 246 balls. His innings featured 22 fours and two sixes, helping Delhi move beyond 600 runs.
Sumit Mathur contributed 92, while wicketkeeper Anuj Rawat remained unbeaten on 61. Delhi eventually declared at 648/6 after 136.4 overs.
For Gujarat, the challenge was enormous. The team needed to bat for long periods, avoid unnecessary risks, and build partnerships that could reduce Delhi’s advantage.
Manan Hingrajia’s Patient Century Anchors Gujarat
Gujarat’s innings began with a few promising contributions, but the team lost wickets at important moments. Abhishek Desai scored 34, while Vedant Trivedi added 38. However, Gujarat slipped to 153/4, leaving the middle order with considerable responsibility.
Hingrajia responded with a disciplined innings. The left-handed batter finished unbeaten on 108 from 274 balls, hitting 12 fours and one six.
Instead of trying to match Delhi’s scoring rate, he concentrated on protecting his wicket and gradually adding runs. His approach forced Delhi’s bowlers to work hard for every breakthrough.
Hingrajia reached his century after facing 251 deliveries. It was his fifth first-class hundred, marking another significant achievement in his domestic career.
His innings was especially valuable because Gujarat needed someone to remain at the crease while the other batters adjusted to the match situation. Hingrajia’s patience gave the team a foundation to recover.
What Made Hingrajia’s Innings Effective?
Several qualities helped Hingrajia maintain his concentration against Delhi’s bowling attack:
- Patience: He defended carefully and waited for suitable scoring opportunities.
- Shot selection: He avoided unnecessary risks when Delhi were applying pressure.
- Concentration: He remained focused across a long innings.
- Partnership building: He worked with his teammates to prevent Gujarat from losing wickets in quick succession.
His innings showed that effective first-class batting is not always about scoring quickly. Sometimes, occupying the crease and making the opposition work for wickets is the most important contribution.
Jaymeet Patel Provides Crucial Support
Hingrajia’s recovery effort gained momentum through his partnership with Jaymeet Patel. Jaymeet scored 72 from 119 balls, including nine fours, and helped Gujarat rebuild after the loss of their fourth wicket.
The pair added 124 runs for the fifth wicket, changing the direction of Gujarat’s innings. Their partnership reduced the immediate pressure and prevented Delhi from moving towards a quick finish.
Jaymeet complemented Hingrajia’s patient approach by taking scoring opportunities when they appeared. Both batters concentrated on building the innings rather than attempting risky shots against a team that had already posted a huge total.
Delhi eventually broke the partnership when Navdeep Saini dismissed Jaymeet, who was caught at second slip. However, their stand had already helped Gujarat recover from 153/4 to 277/5.
Chintan Gaja then joined Hingrajia and continued the resistance. Gaja was unbeaten on 41 at the close of play, and their partnership added another 86 runs.
Together, these partnerships helped Gujarat reach 363/5 after 120 overs.
Key Batting Performances for Gujarat
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Contribution |
| Manan Hingrajia | 108* | 274 | Anchored the innings |
| Jaymeet Patel | 72 | 119 | Built a crucial fifth-wicket stand |
| Chintan Gaja | 41* | 105 | Continued the recovery |
| Abhishek Desai | 34 | 84 | Provided an early contribution |
| Vedant Trivedi | 38 | 92 | Helped Gujarat build its innings |
These contributions demonstrated the value of partnerships. While Hingrajia was the central figure, support from Jaymeet and Gaja ensured Gujarat continued making progress.
Delhi’s Bowlers Face a Test of Patience
Delhi’s bowlers had a substantial first-innings total to defend, but Gujarat’s resistance made the task more demanding.
Hrithik Shokeen was Delhi’s leading wicket-taker, finishing with three wickets for 94 runs. Divij Mehra and Navdeep Saini claimed one wicket each, but the bowling attack struggled to break through consistently once Hingrajia settled.
A large total can create pressure on the opposition, but bowlers still need discipline and patience to take wickets. Hingrajia’s approach reduced scoring opportunities while making Delhi work through long periods without a breakthrough.
The pitch also offered limited assistance to the fast bowlers, making it harder to force mistakes. Gujarat took advantage of those conditions by defending carefully and building partnerships.
Delhi remained in control because of its huge first-innings score, but Hingrajia’s resistance made an outright victory less straightforward than it might have appeared earlier.
Why Hingrajia’s Performance Matters for Gujarat
Hingrajia’s century was important beyond the immediate match situation. It demonstrated his ability to take responsibility when the team was under pressure and provided encouragement for Gujarat’s remaining batters.
The performance also showed why experienced domestic players remain valuable. Their understanding of match situations can help stabilise an innings and guide younger teammates through challenging periods.
For Gujarat, the priorities were clear:
- Continue building partnerships without taking unnecessary risks.
- Reduce Delhi’s first-innings advantage as much as possible.
- Protect wickets while taking advantage of loose deliveries.
- Maintain concentration until the innings reaches a stronger position.
Hingrajia had provided the foundation, but Gujarat still needed further runs to challenge Delhi’s advantage.
Conclusion
Manan Hingrajia’s unbeaten 108 was a crucial contribution for Gujarat against Delhi in the 2026–27 Ranji Trophy. After Delhi declared at 648/6, Gujarat faced a difficult challenge, but Hingrajia’s patient innings helped the team recover from 153/4.
His 124-run partnership with Jaymeet Patel, followed by an unbeaten stand with Chintan Gaja, carried Gujarat to 363/5 by the end of the third day.
Although Gujarat still trailed by 285 runs, the recovery demonstrated the value of patience and teamwork in first-class cricket. Hingrajia’s century gave his side renewed hope and provided a strong platform for the next stage of the contest.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many runs did Manan Hingrajia score against Delhi?
Manan Hingrajia scored an unbeaten 108 from 274 balls, including 12 fours and one six.
2. What was Gujarat’s score at the end of Day Three?
Gujarat reached 363/5 after 120 overs, trailing Delhi by 285 runs.
3. How did Jaymeet Patel help Gujarat recover?
Jaymeet Patel scored 72 from 119 balls and shared a 124-run fifth-wicket partnership with Hingrajia.
4. How many runs did Delhi score in their first innings?
Delhi declared at 648/6, with Priyansh Arya scoring 199 and Ayush Badoni making 217.
5. Why was Hingrajia’s century important?
His century helped Gujarat recover after losing early wickets, prevented a potential collapse, and gave the team a stronger position from which to continue its first-innings effort.
