"It feels like a dream."
For Chinmay Sutar, the magnitude of what he has just achieved has still not sunk in.
The 29-year-old Mizoram batter became only the second Indian to score a quadruple century in a first-class innings, finishing unbeaten on 400 against Nagaland in Sovima in a Ranji Trophy game on Monday. In only his second first-class fixture and third first-class innings, Sutar surpassed Prithvi Shaw's 379 to register the second-highest individual score in Ranji Trophy history.
Sutar reached the landmark in the 155th over of the Mizoram innings, having been unbeaten on 392 at tea, before Mizoram declared on 581 for 9. His innings was built on patience, but the defining phase came right at the end.
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With Mizoram nine down, Sutar found an ally in last man Lalrempuia Chhakchhuak, and the pair added 189 runs together without being separated, Chhakchhuak scoring 14 in 76 balls while Sutar did the bulk of the scoring.
Their stand is the third-highest for the last wicket in Ranji Trophy history, 43 short of the record 233 shared by Ajay Sharma and Maninder Singh for Delhi against Mumbai in 1991-92. The 232 Tanush Kotian and Tushar Deshpande added for Mumbai against Baroda in 2023-24 is second on the list.
"I just kept batting and wasn't aware of what the highest score in Ranji was until I got to 380," Sutar told Cricinfo after the second day's play. "Suddenly there were claps from the dressing room. They just heard then it was the second-highest score. That's when I found out."
The contribution of Chhakchhuak was not lost on Sutar.
"I was playing most of the balls, giving him one or two balls every over," Sutar said. "At one stage, they started bowling bouncers and short balls at him. He even took a few blows on the body but was very determined to not get out. He gave his everything on the field. His numbers won't be talked about, but Lal deserves huge credit. He was outstanding."
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While Sutar's innings was remarkable, his long and sometimes lonely journey that preceded it is important to know too.
Sutar came up through Mumbai's maidan and club cricket structures, representing Sind Sports Club before joining the Cricket Club of India. He made it to Mumbai's Under-23 side before the Covid-19 pandemic, but opportunities at the senior level remained elusive.
Even after impressing in the local leagues, he struggled to break through. He did make his Vijay Hazare Trophy (List A) debut in 2021-22 and played four matches, but had to wait five more years for his next opportunity. And one game later, he was on the fringes again.
Things might have been different had he signed with Mizoram in 2025-26, but Armaan Jaffer, also a Mumbai batter, was picked ahead of Sutar. Eventually, an opportunity opened up this year following his performances for MSC Maratha Royals, who successfully defended their Mumbai T20 League title. Sutar finished with 212 runs in six innings.
"I wanted to play first-class cricket wherever it was, irrespective of the level," Sutar said. "Mizoram called me for trials, and it worked. It was a tough decision, but it had to be done. Last week, I got run out for 99 on debut [against Manipur], and couldn't complete my century. But I have the belief that irrespective of the level, I can score."
For Rajesh Sutar, who had watched his son navigate years of uncertainty, the breakthrough reminded him of his own journey. In the early 1990s, Rajesh played briefly for Mumbai and even opened the batting in local one-dayers with Sachin Tendulkar. He finished his career with seven first-class matches and 30 List A games.
Over the years, his father had been a source of motivation as Sutar began to doubt whether he would make it. Having made his own first-class debut at 29 too, Sutar Sr only urged his son to keep scoring and stay fit.
"My dad was the one who kept pushing me," Sutar said. "When I was low, he had that faith in me. Whenever I was low and felt maybe it won't happen, he kept pushing me, saying you never know when the tide turns, keep fighting. Credit to him for the faith and the backing. It wouldn't have been possible without his backing."
Having trained and played with his team-mates at Mizoram for a few months now, Sutar believes Mizoram and other north-eastern teams have players with the ability and determination to compete, but need greater visibility and exposure.
"North-East sides don't get the exposure, but the spirit of the players is amazing," Sutar said when asked of the perception that runs in the Plate League shouldn't have the same value. "I love the way they play, the effort, the heart they put in. It's just about exposure. Cricket is growing."
For now, the record still belongs to BB Nimbalkar, who made 443 not out for Maharashtra against Kathiawar in 1948-49, but this innings has placed Sutar in rare company and he knows it might not have been so: "I didn't even think I'd get 200 when we were seven or eight down. I got 200 more. I can't be happier."