Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Sanju Samson smashes fifty on Kerala return; Asia Cup hero Tilak Varma falls for duck

In the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26’s Round 1 encounter, Maharashtra are facing Kerala at the Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram and all the attention is on star wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, who has returned for his home side after being sidelined in the previous season. Samson did not disappoint at all, smashing a half-century in the first innings, batting at No. 4.

The match began with Maharashtra batting first, and putting up a total of 239 in the first innings, following a fighting knock by Ruturaj Gaikwad for his 91 runs, alongside Jalaj Saxena, who made 49. The duo engaged in a 122-run partnership on the opening day to pull their side out of deep trouble when they were teetering at five down for just 18 runs in the opening session, courtesy of MD Nidheesh’s brilliant opening spell.

Kerala opened with Akshay Chandran and Rohan Kunnummal, but the opening partnership did not last long, as the former departed for a 21-ball duck. Four overs later, experienced batter Baba Aparajith, too, had to make the long walk back, making way for Samson. The Trivandrum-born did not waste a lot of time to get going, chipping in with a quick-fire 54 off just 63 balls. His knock was laced with five fours and a six.

Tilak Varma fails to lead from the front

On the other hand, in Hyderabad’s opening clash against Delhi, skipper Tilak Varma could not continue his form from the Asia Cup 2025. For the unversed, Tilak Varma had become a household name after his blitzkrieg in the Asia Cup finale against Pakistan in Dubai. However, coming to playing the red-ball format, the youngster departed for a silver duck, getting bamboozled off his opposition counterpart Ayush Badoni.

Karun Nair gets fifty on Karnataka comeback

Meanwhile, ace batter Karun Nair returned to play for Karnataka after a three-year gap and impressed everyone with a solid 73-run knock as the visitors batted first in Rajkot against Jaydev Unadkat’s Saurashtra. Devdutt Padikkal, too, batted brilliantly for his 96, but felt short as Dharmendrasinh Jadeja hit the stumps with precision.