Ranji Trophy: Tamil Nadu’s Batting Order Collapses Dramatically in Challenging Conditions

Under a blanket of grey skies, Tamil Nadu’s top-order crumbled dramatically, resembling a fragile structure in a storm. By the close of the second day in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group-A clash against Jharkhand, the host team found themselves reeling at a dismal 18 for five at the Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science ground.

While most dismissals hinted at a lack of resolve from the batsmen, opener and left-hander B. Sachin faced a stroke of misfortune. Debutant pacer Sahil Raj (two for 8) delivered a ball that devastatingly kept low, dislodging Sachin’s off-stump on the very first delivery of Tamil Nadu’s innings.

What followed was an absolute mauling, with Tamil Nadu losing an astonishing four wickets within a mere 15 balls. Newcomer pacer Jatin Kumar Pandey (three for 10) was the chief destroyer, claiming two crucial wickets in the eighth over. Skipper N. Jagadeesan (3) nicked one to Shikhar Mohan at gully, and just three deliveries later, Pradosh Ranjan Paul (9) cut directly to Sahil at point, gifting away his wicket.

The onslaught continued as B. Indrajith was clean bowled through the gate by a fuller delivery from Sahil in the ninth over, departing for a golden duck. Andre Siddarth (2) then fell leg before to Jatin in the tenth over. With the scoreboard reading a precarious 14 for five in just 9.4 overs, Tamil Nadu’s immediate focus shifted from chasing a total to simply trying to salvage the match.

Play was eventually suspended after tea due to persistent rain, with the day’s remaining schedule called off, leaving Tamil Nadu in a deep predicament.

Earlier in the day, Jharkhand had posted a formidable total of 419 before being bowled out. Left-arm pacer Gurjapneet Singh was the standout bowler for Tamil Nadu, securing an impressive four-wicket haul for 71 runs.

Ishan Kishan (173 runs from 247 balls, featuring 15 fours and 6 sixes) resumed his aggressive innings from day one. He started with a flicked six to deep square leg off Sandeep Warrier’s first ball of the day. Warrier later challenged Kishan with a short ball, which was effortlessly hooked for another six over the fine leg fielder. Kishan brought up his magnificent 150 by pulling a short delivery from Gurjapneet over the backward square leg boundary for yet another maximum.

Kishan, alongside Sahil Raj (77 runs from 183 balls, with 7 fours and 2 sixes), forged an exceptional 214-run seventh-wicket partnership. His brilliant innings eventually concluded when he tamely edged a delivery from debutant pacer R.S. Ambrish to Shahrukh Khan at first slip.

The scores: Jharkhand — 1st innings: Shikhar Mohan b Gurjapneet 10, Sharandeep Singh c Jagadeesan b Gurjapneet 48, Kumar Suraj b Chandrasekar 3, Virat Singh c Jagadeesan b Gurjapneet 28, Ishan Kishan c Shahrukh b Ambrish 173, Kumar Kushagra st Jagadeesan b Chandrasekar 11, Anukul Roy c Paul b Warrier 12, Sahil Raj b Gurjapneet 77, Jatin Kumar Pandey b Hemchudeshan 25, Rishav Raj c Shahrukh b Hemchudeshan 19, Vikash Singh (not out) 2; Extras: (nb-3, w-3, b-1, lb-4): 11; Total (in 132.1 overs): 419.

Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-24, 3-79, 4-106, 5-133, 6-157, 7-371, 8-371, 9-410.

Tamil Nadu bowling: Warrier 31-4-107-1, Gurjapneet 27-5-71-4, Ambrish 18-4-56-1, Chandrasekar 34-4-114-2, Hemchudeshan 21.1-1-64-2, Paul 1-0-2-0.

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 (batting) 0, M. Shahrukh Khan (batting) 4; Extras: 0; Total (for five wickets in 11 overs): 18.

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-12, 3-13, 4-14, 5-14.

Jharkhand bowling: Sahil 6-3-8-2, Jatin 5-2-10-3.