Ranji Trophy: Jharkhand spinners plot Tamil Nadu’s downfall

Tamil Nadu was bowled out for 189 and Jharkhand won by 44 runs in the Elite Group-D match

JAMSHEDPUR: Just like the sun dissolved the last of the morning mist here on Saturday, Tamil Nadu’s hopes of a win dissipated as Ajith Ram (5) and Vijay Shankar (33) fell off the fifth and seventh balls of the day, caught at slip and gully off spinners Utkarsh Singh and Manishi respectively.

Tamil Nadu was eventually bowled out for 189 and Jharkhand won by 44 runs in the Elite Group-D match of the Ranji Trophy at the Keenan stadium here.

Tamil Nadu’s hopes were briefly revived when M. Mohammed (35) and Lakshay Jain (13) were involved in a 44-run stand for the eighth wicket.

Jharkhand skipper Ishan Kishan preferred to have an attacking field for Lakshay and boundary riders for Mohammed. Despite the presence of the in-fielders to stop him from getting off the strike, Lakshay kept finding the gaps for singles. Sneaky singles pressurised Jharkhand into conceding a couple of overthrows.

But just as the partnership was looking ominous for Jharkhand, off-spinner Aditya Singh trapped Lakshay plumb in front. The Tamil Nadu camp, that was cheering for every run, fell silent instantly.

Mohammed hit a six off Utkarsh over midwicket. He pulled Aditya for a six in the same area later. One Lakshay got out, Mohammed decided to go for his shots with only one wicket left since Baba Aparajith was absent hurt. It was that urgency that led to his dismissal, as he went on the backfoot and missed one to be dismissed leg before wicket off left-arm spinner Anukul Roy.

Utkarsh Singh was adjudged the Player-of-the-Match for his all-round show (six for 30 & one for 65) in addition to a crucial 35 in the second innings.

Veteran pacer Ashish Kumar, who played his last first-class match, was given a guard of honour by his Jharkhand teammates. The Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) also felicitated him. Retired India pacer and former Jharkhand skipper Varun Aaron, who had partnered Ashish with the new ball, graced the occasion.

The scores: Jharkhand – 1st innings: 185.

Tamil Nadu – 1st innings: 106.

Jharkhand – 2nd innings: 154.

Tamil Nadu – 2nd innings: Mohamed Ali lbw b Manishi 44, N. Jagadeesan lbw b Manishi 13, Pradosh Ranjan Paul b Aditya 13, Vijay Shankar c Anukul b Manishi 33, Andre Siddarth c Ashish b Manishi 18, Sai Kishore lbw b Anukul 2, Ajith Ram c Virat b Utkarsh 5, Mohammed lbw b Anukul 35, Lakshay Jain lbw b Aditya 13, Trilok Nag (not out) 1, Baba Indrajith absent hurt; Extras (b-10, lb-2): 12; Total (in 55.4 overs): 189.

Fall of wickets: 1-37, 2-75, 3-92, 4-126, 5-131, 6-137, 7-137, 8-181, 9-189.

Jharkhand bowling: Ashish 2-0-9-0, Utkarsh 16-3-65-1, Manishi 19-2-49-4, Anukul 11.4-1-35-2, Aditya 7-1-19-2.

Published - February 01, 2025 05:44 pm IST