The daunting task of recovering from their previous day’s top-order collapse proved insurmountable for Tamil Nadu, as they were bowled out for a paltry 93 runs. Consequently, Jharkhand enforced the follow-on on the third day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group-A encounter at the Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science ground in Coimbatore on Friday, establishing a commanding 326-run first-innings lead.
Following an hour’s delay to the start of play, the early drama saw Shahrukh Khan (5) dismissed in just the second over. Attempting a drive, he was clean bowled by pacer Sahil Raj, who spectacularly uprooted his off-stump.
A brief respite came from debutants R.S. Ambrish (28) and Hemchudeshan (14), who forged a 38-run partnership off 66 balls for the seventh wicket. However, Ambrish eventually met a fate similar to Khan’s, as left-arm pacer Vikash Singh breached his defenses with a delivery that snuck between bat and pad, sending his off-stump cartwheeling. Just two balls later, Hemchudeshan edged a delivery down the leg side from fellow debutant pacer Jatin Kumar Pandey, caught behind.
Post-lunch, Jatin continued his stellar debut, achieving his maiden First-Class five-wicket haul (five for 35) when Gurjapneet Singh (12) was caught behind. Despite briefly leaving the field with apparent discomfort after his impressive spell, Jatin bravely returned to action for Tamil Nadu’s second innings.
The final wicket partnership saw D.T. Chandrasekar (9) and Sandeep Warrier (5 not out) offer some resistance, painstakingly adding 15 runs over 108 balls, before Sahil dismissed Chandrasekar leg before wicket, wrapping up Tamil Nadu’s innings.
Beginning their second innings under the pressure of the follow-on, Tamil Nadu’s woes continued as they lost three early wickets, with debutant off-spinner Rishav Raj accounting for two of them.
R.S. Ambrish (15), opening the innings due to B. Sachin’s absence (who was unwell with chickenpox), was bowled by Rishav. The delivery kept unexpectedly low, beating his attempted backfoot cut.
N. Jagadeesan (21) then became Sahil’s victim, driving loosely and nicking to the wicketkeeper. Pradosh Ranjan Paul (8) followed, caught at slip by Virat Singh off Rishav. Hemchudeshan came out as the designated nightwatchman, tasked with seeing out the day’s play.
The scores: Jharkhand — 1st innings: 419.
Tamil Nadu — 1st innings: B. Sachin b Sahil 0, N. Jagadeesan c Mohan b Jatin 3, Pradosh Ranjan Paul c Sahil b Jatin 9, Andre Siddarth lbw b Jatin 2, B. Indrajith b Sahil 0, R.S. Ambrish b Vikash 28, M. Shahrukh Khan b Sahil 5, Hemchudeshan c Kishan b Jatin 14, Gurjapneet Singh c Kishan b Jatin 12, D.T. Chandrasekar lbw b Sahil 9, Sandeep Warrier (not out) 5; Extras (lb-6): 6; Total (in 50.4 overs): 93.
Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-12, 3-13, 4-14, 5-14, 6-23, 7/61, 8/61, 9/78.
Jharkhand bowling: Sahil 13.4-6-21-4, Jatin 14.4-4-35-5, Vikash 6.2-1-16-1, Anukul 11-9-11-0, Rishav 5-4-4-0.
Tamil Nadu — 2nd innings: R.S. Ambrish b Rishav 15, N. Jagadeesan c Kishan b Sahil 21, Pradosh Ranjan Paul c Virat b Rishav 8, Andre Siddarth (batting) 3, Hemchudeshan (batting) 3; Extras (b-1, lb-1): 2; Total (for three wickets in 27 overs): 52.
Fall of wickets: 1-33, 2-41, 3-49.
Jharkhand bowling: Sahil 8-3-10-1, Vikash 6-1-22-0, Jatin 4-1-9-0, Rishav 7-3-9-2, Anukul 2-0-2-0.