Jharkhand made a giant stride towards the Ranji Trophy quarter finals as they posted a mammoth 769 for 9 against a struggling Nagaland on Day II of their knockout match at Eden Gardens here on Sunday.
The 17-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra made the most of the listless Nagaland attack to steer his side to a huge total after Jharkhand resumed the day at 402 for 5.
Kushagra, who was 112 not out overnight, kept his onslaught on the Nagaland bowlers to slam 266 from 269 balls (37x4, 2x6) in his third first-class appearance. It was his maiden first class hundred.
The youngster, who was a part of the India U-19 team for 2020 South Africa tour, got to 200 with a boundary off Lemtur just before lunch to complete the milestone in 213 deliveries.
Senior left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem cruised to a career-best 123 not out (223 balls; 14x4, 1x6) as the duo put together 166 runs for the seventh wicket.
Brief scores: Jharkhand 769/9 (Kumar Kushagra 266, Shahbaz Nadeem 123 not out; Khrievitso Lemtur 3/138, Imliwati Lemtur 3/161) vs Nagaland. At stumps, Day II.