Mohit Ahlawat Hits Maiden First-Class Century Against Former Team Delhi
Ahlawat leads Services' fightback with a commanding 142-run innings in Ranji Trophy clash.
1Ahlawat's Career Milestone
Mohit Ahlawat achieved his maiden First-Class century during the Elite Group-C Ranji Trophy match against Delhi. The 30-year-old scored 142 runs off 150 balls, featuring seven maximums. This performance marked a significant personal milestone, occurring at the Airforce Complex Ground in Palam, where he faced his former domestic team for the first time.
2From Delhi to Services
Ahlawat began his domestic career with Delhi under Gautam Gambhir in the 2015-16 season. After struggling in three matches, he was sidelined from the squad. His career was revitalized three seasons later when he joined the Indian Navy, which provided him a new cricketing lifeline through the Services team in domestic competitions.
3Delhi's First Innings Lead
Delhi resumed the third day at 299 for six and was eventually bundled out for 344. Sumit Mathur narrowly missed a century, getting dismissed for 99 runs. Services bowler Jayant Goyat, standing 6’4”, delivered an impressive spell to claim his first five-wicket haul, limiting Delhi to a first-innings lead of 78 runs.
4Early Services Collapse
Services faced a difficult start in their second innings, falling to 13 for two early on. Navdeep Saini dismissed both Nitin Tanwar and Shubham Rohilla, putting the visitors under immediate pressure. With Vineet Dhankhar unavailable due to illness, Ahlawat was promoted to the number four position to stabilize the team's precarious batting lineup.
5Tactical Batting Performance
Ahlawat demonstrated exceptional command, particularly against the Delhi spin attack. He frequently stepped out to loft deliveries down the ground while utilizing sweep and reverse-sweep shots to disrupt the bowlers' lines. His aggressive approach helped Services reach 280 for five, establishing a lead of 202 runs by the end of the day.
6Crucial Partnership Support
Ahlawat received vital support from his teammates throughout the day. He shared a 126-run partnership with Ravi Chauhan, who contributed 56 runs. Following Chauhan's departure, Rajat Paliwal joined him to add another 127 runs. Paliwal remained unbeaten on 62, ensuring Services maintained their momentum and built a substantial lead against the Delhi side.
7Bowling Analysis Overview
Delhi utilized seven different bowlers during the second innings, but only Navdeep Saini and Aman Chaudhary managed to take multiple wickets. Saini finished with figures of 2/50, while Aman claimed 2/87. Despite these efforts, the Services middle-order successfully neutralized the bowling attack, preventing further breakthroughs and securing a dominant position heading into tomorrow.
8Match Context and Outlook
The match highlights the competitive nature of the Elite Group-C Ranji Trophy fixtures. With a lead of 202 runs, Services holds a strong advantage going into the final stages of the game. Ahlawat’s resurgence serves as a reminder of the unpredictable paths players take within the domestic Indian cricket circuit today.