Denied debut due to injury last season, Ayush Doseja slams double in first Ranji game

New Delhi: Ayush Doseja’s much-awaited debut in Ranji Trophy cricket for Delhi was marked by a glorious double hundred against Hyderabad in Delhi’s season-opener, which is being played against Hyderabad at the NextGen Cricket Academy in Telangana capital.

Doseja was due to make his debut in January this year against Saurashtra in Rajkot but a grade 3 ligament tear following twisting of ankle forced him out for two-and-a-half months.

But the comeback was grand. He was batting on 97 at the end of the first day’s play.  

“I wanted to complete the century on the first day itself as I knew there would be nerves when I restart,” said Doseja after the end of second day’s play. He scored 209 while opener Sanat Sangwan made 211 not out. Sangwan held one end up amid a series of aggressive Delhi batsmen.  

“I was batting well at the nets, the coaches and captain Ayush Badoni commended me for that. I wanted to grab every opportunity. There were nerves when I went into bat. But when I hit a four on the third or the fourth ball, middling it, I got confidence and it was easy from thereon,” says the batsman who represents Ravi Brothers in the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) League.

The 23-year-old Doseja, who idolises Virat Kohli, was in prime form earlier this season as he reeled off four centuries in five matches in Hot Weather tournaments immediately after returning from injury. He also scored well in the Delhi Premier League for West Delhi Lions.

He has, however, played for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Delhi brought in two debutants for this Ranji Trophy game. Apart from Doseja, left-arm spinner Rounak Waghela was also handed debut.

Tags : Ranji Trophy, Ayush Doseja, Ayush Badoni, Sanat Sangwan, Delhi, Cricket