New Delhi: Eleven years ago, an 18-year-old Rishabh Pant’s first-class debut was put on hold for three matches because the Delhi selectors preferred a 20-year-old Mohit Ahlawat to start the Ranji season under skipper Gautam Gambhir. Ahlawat managed just a solitary run in two matches before Pant went on to build a distinguished career.
On Wednesday, Ahlawat scored his maiden first-class century, counter-attacking for Services to jeopardise Delhi’s chances of registering their first outright win of the season.
The pitch at the Air Force ground in Palam hasn’t allowed fluent scoring over the three days of the match. Ahlawat produced a Pant-like knock of 142 off 150 balls, hitting 12 boundaries and seven sixes to take Services from 13/2 to 280/5 and secure a 202-run lead going into the final day. Captain Rajat Paliwal was batting on 62, with Services having five wickets remaining.
Ahlawat’s journey has been an interesting one. In February 2017, he scored 300 off just 72 balls in a local T20 match in Delhi. He has attended IPL trials for a few franchises but could never make the cut.
“I debuted in 2015-16. Two years later, I joined the Navy, so I’ve been playing for Services since. It’s been an up-and-down journey. Whenever the season comes, the effort remains to make myself better,” said Ahlawat.
“I went for IPL trials with Mumbai Indians, CSK and Delhi Capitals. I used to regularly go for trials till two years ago.”
Ahlawat will lead Services in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which is due to start on November 14.
BRIEF SCORES: Services 266 and 280/5 (Mohit Ahlawat 142, Rajat Paliwal 62*) vs Delhi 344 (Sumit Mathur 99, Ayush Doseja 78; Goyat 5/65).
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