Never too late: At 32, Railways opener Pratham Singh cracks maiden Duleep Trophy hundred on debut

Age is a fickle companion for most Indian athletes, including cricketers. Once you hit the 30s, perceptions begin to change drastically.

But for 32-year-old Pratham Singh, things are only getting started. The Railways left-hander whipped up his maiden Duleep Trophy hundred on debut for India A in their round two contest against India D at the Anantapur Cricket Ground A venue on Saturday.

After failing in the first essay, falling for seven off 33 balls, Pratham returned to power India A to a strong start with his crisp 189-ball 122 knock, laced with 12 fours and one six.

Having made his domestic debut in 2017, Pratham has endured a long haul before earning the break to the next level with the Duleep Trophy this week. The tall southpaw has scored over 1000 runs in all three formats with the Railways.

Century for Pratham Singh 💯

6⃣, 4⃣, 4⃣

What a way to get your maiden Duleep Trophy hundred 👏#DuleepTrophy | @IDFCFIRSTBank

Follow the match ▶️: https://t.co/m9YW0Hu10f pic.twitter.com/EmmpwDJX1Q

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) September 14, 2024

Ending a drought with Ranji history

In his previous First-Class outing in February, Pratham compiled a career-best 169 not out against Tripura off 300 balls. He had waited 28 games and nearly six years to record his maiden century. Interestingly, Pratham entered the record books with his maiden First-Class ton, helping Railways record the highest successful chase in Ranji Trophy history.

Pratham’s watchful knock held one end firm for the Railways in their tall pursuit of 378 runs within days 3 and 4. This came after his side had conceded the first-innings lead and found themselves reeling at 31 for three in the chase.

Pratham has also twice featured the Indian Premier League, after being picked up the Gujarat Lions in 2017 and the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2022. However, he did not play any game.

The Delhi-born batter-cum-engineer had compiled 530 runs in 12 innings in the last Ranji season, with a hundred and three fifties. Pratham has also shone in the shorter formats, registering four consecutive Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy fifties in his first season in 2019-20.

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