"Football score": Fans in disbelief as Ruturaj Gaikwad's Maharashtra fall 5/4 in Ranji game

Maharashtra face humiliating collapse in Ranji Trophy [Source: @CricCrazyJohns, @cricketaakash/X.com]

In a shocking beginning to the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season, Maharashtra, captained by Ruturaj Gaikwad, found themselves reeling at 5/4 after just 6 overs in their first innings. The fans were left stunned as the team, which was predicted to score a good total, failed against hard-hitting bowling.

Prithvi Shaw, on his Ranji debut for Maharashtra, was dismissed for a duck, trapped lbw by Nidheesh. 

Arshin Kulkarni followed quickly, caught by Kunnummal off Nedumankuzhy Basil, leaving the team under intense pressure. 

Siddhesh Veer also fell for zero, caught behind off Nidheesh, compounding the early setback. 

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4 zeros flash on Maharashtra’s scoreboard in embarrassing collapse

Ankit Bawne, another experienced player, fell cheaply on zero to Nedumankuzhy Basil. With 4 batters out on duck, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and Saurabh Nawale took charge at the crease and finally put some runs on the board.

Extras accounted for 5 runs, including 5 wides, but it’s the sheer collapse of the top order that has grabbed the attention.

Losing four wickets for just five runs is an unusual and surprising occurrence in first-class cricket, leaving fans comparing the score to something more familiar in football than cricket.

"5-4. Football ka score hai 🫣😶" - @cricketaakash

Fan tweet [Source: @cricketaakash/X.com]

"Prithvi shaw in such situations" - @anany_sh

Fan tweet [Source: @anany_sh/X.com]

"Prithvi Shaw always at the crime sence" - @AnuBindu0

"Too many Saim Ayub and Shahid Afridi in a single frame!" - @theFaizFazel

"Extras is playing well." - @BruvverEccles

Fan tweets [Source: @AnuBindu0, @theFaizFazel, @BruvverEccles/X.com]

Maharashtra now stand at a point where they try to rebuild their innings. With their top order in shambles, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad will have to play his part and calm the waters.

He is currently batting on 35* and has built a 50+ run partnership with Jalaj Saxena. For Kerala, Nidheesh took 3 wickets, while Basil accounted for 2 wickets.

Interestingly, Sanju Samson is also playing his game, marking his highly anticipated return in red-ball cricket.

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