Ranji Trophy 2017/18: Yusuf Pathan's Twin Tons Couldn't Prevent Baroda a Defeat

Indian discarded star all-rounder Yusuf Pathan has light up this year’s Ranji Trophy with two back-to-back hundreds against Madhya Pradesh in the opening game for Baroda at Indore’s Holkar stadium.

The 35-year-old shared a brilliant partnership with his brother and captain, Irfan Pathan, as the Indian international duo put on 188 runs for the fifth wicket.

Batting first, Madhya Pradesh took full advantage of the batting-friendly conditions and posted a mammoth first innings total of 551.

Baroda had an unforgettable start, as they were four down with just 54 runs on the board but then came Irfan Pathan who joined his brother and smashed the bowlers all over the ground.

Yusuf went on to score a hundred, while Irfan too scored a fifty (80). The left-hander before the game said that he is not targeting national comeback but he is focused on the upcoming domestic challenge.

Yusuf in his first innings hundred smashed 13 boundaries and six sixes, while batting second the all-rounder again smashed seven sixes and 16 boundaries.

In the second innings, while following on Baroda were restricted to seven for 68, before Yusuf once again played an important role and smashed his second hundred of the game. He remained unbeaten on 136 in the second innings.

Baroda-born all-rounder put on 218 runs with youngster Atit Sheth who also went on to score his maiden first-class ton. Though these heroic innings couldn’t prevent Baroda from losing their first game of the season.

Chasing a small target of 70 runs, Madhya Pradesh had a horrific start losing two wickets in the first over but after that Harpreet Singh Bhatia and Rajat Patidar took the team over the line without losing any further wicket.

With New Zealand and Sri Lanka series coming up, Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan, and Gautam Gambhir have surely caught the attention of selectors.