Mizoram batter Chinmay Sutar became only the second Indian to score a quadruple century in first-class cricket, smashing an unbeaten 400 off 517 balls against Nagaland in the Ranji Trophy Plate Division at the Nagaland Cricket Stadium in Sovima on Monday.
The 29-year-old joined Maharashtra’s BB Nimbalkar, who scored an unbeaten 443 against Kathiawar in Pune in 1948, as the only Indian batters to reach the landmark. Sutar also became just the 10th batter worldwide to score 400 or more in a first-class innings, joining an elite list that includes Brian Lara and Don Bradman.
Mizoram had a mixed start after being asked to build their innings. Opener Sahil Reza fell for four, while Lalhruaizela scored 31 off 63 balls before departing at 82/2. Joseph Lalthankhuma followed soon after for one, leaving Mizoram at 83/3.
Manendra Singh added some momentum with a brisk 27 off 39 deliveries before falling at 146/4. At the other end, Sutar remained in control, anchoring the innings and building crucial partnerships to keep Mizoram on course for a big total.
He shared a 168-run stand with wicketkeeper Jehu Anderson, who contributed 69 off 151 balls, to steady the innings. However, Nagaland fought back through its bowlers, with Anil Gupta (3/143), Saurav Kumar (2/115) and Neizekho (2/113) leading the charge. Their efforts triggered a collapse that saw Mizoram slip from 314/4 to 392/9.
With the innings in danger of losing momentum, Sutar found an unlikely partner in Lalrempuia Chhakchhuak. The pair added an unbeaten 189 runs for the 10th wicket, with Chhakchhuak contributing 14 not out off 76 balls.
Sutar reached the historic 400-run mark during the stand, having struck 46 fours and seven sixes in a remarkable display of endurance and strokeplay. His innings propelled Mizoram to 581/9 in 154.1 overs before the team declared.
