Srinagar, Oct 19: Chinmay Sutar etched his name in the history of Indian domestic cricket on Monday, becoming only the second batter to score 400 runs in a single innings of the Ranji Trophy.
Representing Mizoram against Nagaland in a Plate Group fixture at the Nagaland Cricket Stadium in Sovima, Sutar produced an extraordinary unbeaten 400 off 517 deliveries, combining patience, concentration and an exceptional appetite for runs to guide his side to 581/9 declared.
His innings included 46 fours and seven sixes, making it one of the most remarkable individual performances in the history of India’s premier domestic first-class competition.
The 29-year-old joined the legendary Bhausaheb Nimbalkar, who scored an unbeaten 443 for Maharashtra against Kathiawar during the 1948-49 season, as the only batters to reach the 400-run mark in a Ranji Trophy innings.
Sutar also went past Prithvi Shaw’s 379 for Mumbai against Assam in 2023 to register the second-highest individual score in Ranji Trophy history.
A marathon innings built on patience
Sutar’s achievement was particularly impressive given the circumstances in which it unfolded. Rather than relying solely on aggressive strokeplay, he occupied the crease for long periods, steadily accumulating runs and wearing down the Nagaland bowling attack.
He received valuable support from Jehu Anderson, who scored 69, as Mizoram strengthened their position in the middle stages of the innings.
However, it was the final-wicket partnership that provided the defining moment of Sutar’s historic knock.
With Mizoram having lost their ninth wicket, Sutar needed support from number eleven batter Lalrempuia Chhakchhuak to reach the landmark. The pair responded with an unbroken 189-run partnership, allowing Sutar to progress from 231 to 400 without being dismissed.
Chhakchhuak contributed an unbeaten 14 off 76 deliveries, playing a supporting role as Sutar continued to accumulate runs. Their stand ensured Mizoram crossed 580 before declaring at 581/9.
The partnership underlined the importance of the contribution from the other end, even as Sutar dominated the scoring.
From a near-century to a record-breaking 400
The achievement marks a remarkable beginning to Sutar’s first-class career with Mizoram.
After moving from Mumbai to pursue opportunities in red-ball cricket, he made an immediate impression on his Ranji Trophy debut against Manipur, scoring 35 in the first innings and narrowly missing a century with 99 in the second.
He followed that promising start with a performance of historic proportions in only his second first-class appearance.
Sutar’s decision to move away from Mumbai’s competitive cricket structure in search of regular opportunities has now yielded a memorable breakthrough. His quadruple century demonstrates how a change of environment can provide players with the opportunity to showcase their abilities.
Nimbalkar’s record remains intact
Despite crossing the 400-run mark, Sutar fell 44 runs short of the highest individual score in Ranji Trophy history.
That record continues to belong to Nimbalkar, whose unbeaten 443 against Kathiawar in 1948 remains one of the most enduring achievements in Indian domestic cricket.
Sutar’s innings nevertheless places him in an exclusive category, ahead of several celebrated domestic performers who have scored heavily in the competition.
The achievement is also a reminder that marathon innings remain an important part of first-class cricket, even in an era increasingly shaped by shorter formats and aggressive batting approaches.
Mizoram take control against Nagaland
Sutar’s monumental contribution put Mizoram in a commanding position in the match.
After declaring at 581/9, Mizoram had Nagaland struggling at 50/1 in 13 overs, leaving the hosts trailing by 531 runs at the close of the reported period.
The visitors’ huge total gave their bowlers a substantial cushion as they looked to press for a strong result in the Plate Group contest.
For Sutar, however, the match will be remembered above all for an innings that transformed him from a promising batter seeking opportunities into a record-holder in Indian domestic cricket.
Four hundred runs in a single innings require more than technical ability. They demand sustained concentration, physical endurance and the discipline to keep batting long after most players would consider a substantial contribution complete.
Sutar displayed all three qualities in an innings that will remain a landmark in the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season.
