Photo via The Times of India

Rajat Paliwal's 21st first-class ton: A century without knowing he was nearing one

Rajat Paliwal etched his name into Ranji Trophy history with his 21st first-class century, delivering a match-saving innings that lifted Services from a precarious 27 for 3 to a competitive 266 against Delhi. The 34-year-old captain, who turned 35 in December, remained unbeaten on 111 off 196 balls, his highest score of the season.

What made this achievement even more remarkable was his unique approach to the game: Paliwal requested that his name not be displayed on the manual scoreboard at Palam’s Air Force Complex Ground, a decision rooted in superstition to maintain focus. Unaware of his progress toward the century, he only realized he had reached the milestone through the intensified fielding pressure from Delhi’s bowlers as he neared the landmark score.

Speaking after the innings, Paliwal emphasized the significance of the knock, describing it as a pivotal moment for his team, which had lost four wickets for just 44 runs earlier in the match. Despite limited chances of representing India at the international level, he continues to draw inspiration from fellow veteran Paras Dogra, who has surpassed 10,000 first-class runs and led Jammu and Kashmir to a Ranji Trophy title last season.

Paliwal’s consistency and leadership remain vital as Services prepare for the next phase of the tournament.

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