Ranji Trophy 2026-27 Round 4, Day 1: Kuldip Yadav Takes 4/44, Urvil Patel Hits 63, Sarfaraz Khan Makes 55

Hello Yellow Army!

The last round of league phase 1, Round 4 of the Ranji Trophy 2026-27, has begun, and what a power-packed day it was for our CSK boys! Before we get into it, if you missed the previous rounds, do visit my Round 1, Round 2 and Round 3 wrap ups to catch up on their past performances.

Now, talking about this round, it was a perfect start containing everything: a bowler on fire, two batters who kept their good form going, a couple of fifties and one tough day for our captain. So let's see how they started, one by one.

CSK Players Ranji Trophy 2026-27 Round 4 Day 1: Performance at a Glance

Kuldip Yadav Ranji Trophy Round 4 Day 1: 4/44 vs Arunachal Pradesh

This is what I was waiting for! After his 4/62 against Meghalaya in Round 3, Kuldip started Round 4 on fire. In the first session he bowled an opening spell of 5 overs for just 10 runs and took 2 wickets, and then he came back with a second spell of 4 overs to add one more, leaving Arunachal Pradesh struggling at 81/3.

He finished with 4/44 in 19 overs, and Arunachal Pradesh were 98/5 at one point. But then Salil Malhotra played a fighting 146, and the visitors recovered from 168/7 to cross 250 and reach 285 because Mizoram could not bundle them out quickly enough.

Mizoram ended day 1 on 35/0 in 10 overs, trailing by 250 runs. It is a bit sad that a good headstart was not converted into a bigger advantage, but Kuldip did his job beautifully.

Urvil Patel Ranji Trophy Round 4 Day 1: Unbeaten 63 vs Kerala

Yes, Urvil! Another quickfire knock, and this time he is still standing at the end of the day. After his 96 off 72 in Round 3, he is unbeaten on 63 off 67 balls with 7 fours and a six against Kerala.

He came in when Gujarat were 189/5 and added an unbroken 111-run partnership with Vishal Jayswal, who is on 50 off 83, and Gujarat ended day 1 on 300/5 in 83 overs. Fingers crossed, because this time he can finally go past 100 and make that century, unlike the 96 in Round 3 or the 85 in Round 1. Come on, Urvil!

Sarfaraz Khan Ranji Trophy Round 4 Day 1: 55 vs Railways

Just like that, Sarfaraz got another good start! He put together a 98-run partnership with captain Siddhesh Lad, and he made 55 before departing at the fag end of the day. And it was a bad time to go, because he was part of three quick wickets in a row for Mumbai.

They finished day 1 on 247/6 in 83 overs against Railways. After his 40 against Haryana in Round 3, it is a good fifty, and I just wish he had stayed a little longer.

So now the question is, should I wish for a second-innings redemption, or should I hope that Mumbai just finish the job without even needing him in the second innings, like they did in the last three rounds?

Kartik Sharma Ranji Trophy Round 4 Day 1: 9 vs Himachal Pradesh

This is not the start we wanted, Kartik! He fell for just 9 at Dharamshala when Rajasthan were reeling at 54/4, and then they were bundled out very quickly for 78.

There was a little fight back with the ball, with Sahil Dhiwan taking a five-wicket haul to bowl Himachal Pradesh out for 153, but Himachal still got a first-innings lead of 75. Rajasthan ended the day on 8/0, trailing by 67 runs, after a full day of bowling in which 20 wickets fell. At this rate, Round 4 could finish by day 2 or 3, so it is a big day tomorrow for the team, and for him as the captain as well. After the first innings faltered, I want him to step up, contribute with the bat and help Rajasthan build a big lead, and finally give them their first win of this Ranji season.

Shreyas Gopal Ranji Trophy Round 4 Day 1: 0/10 vs Assam

Captain Gopal bowled just one tight spell of 4 overs for 10 runs and did not take a wicket, but he did not need to. Shikhar Shetty and Ritesh Bhatkal took a five-wicket haul each to bundle Assam out for just 135.

Karnataka were already 180/2 in 36 overs at the end of day 1, leading by 45 runs. After his 5/36 in Round 3, the team is in complete control, and if his turn with the bat comes tomorrow, I hope he contributes this time as well.

Aman Khan Ranji Trophy Round 4 Day 1: Unbeaten 9 vs Jammu and Kashmir

Puducherry set up a good base against Jammu and Kashmir, the defending Ranji champions, who have not been going well this season so far, but a few quick wickets at the fag end of the day brought Aman to the crease late. He is unbeaten on 9 off 16 balls with 2 fours, and Puducherry ended day 1 on 261/6 in 77 overs.

After his crucial 62 in Round 3, I hope he builds on this tomorrow and finally gives the team one big, long innings in phase 1, which has been very feeble for him except for that last innings of 62.

Gurjapneet Singh Ranji Trophy Round 4 Day 1: Tamil Nadu vs Chandigarh

Gurjapneet is yet to bowl, because Tamil Nadu are still batting and going strong in Chandigarh. They ended day 1 on 320/4 in 86 overs, so it looks like they will post a big one. Before the ball, he will get his chance to contribute with the bat, and then with the ball.

After his 1/15 in Round 3, I am excited to see him bowl at the Sector 16 Stadium in Chandigarh, which has not been very helpful for the bowlers, as in the last match played here both teams scored 550+ and the match ended in a draw.

CSK Players Not Playing in Ranji Trophy Round 4

• Ayush Mhatre is still out for Mumbai with a Grade 4 hamstring tear.
• Ruturaj Gaikwad is not playing for Maharashtra, as he is with the Indian team for the ODI series in New Zealand, and he has been named in both ODI squads.
• Mukesh Choudhary (Maharashtra) and Anshul Kamboj (Haryana) are with India A in New Zealand.
• Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube are with the Indian team on the New Zealand tour.

I will keep adding every update on the Super Kings Player Tracker, so keep an eye on it, and I will be back with the day 2 article tomorrow.

Stay healthy stay yellow.