The third round of the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 season witnessed Mumbai extending their winning streak, defending champions Saurashtra making a comeback, and the persistent influence of weather on several matches. Let's delve into the highlights from this round of India's premier first-class cricket tournament.
Mumbai's Unstoppable Run
Mumbai continued their impressive form by securing a convincing 232-run victory over Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram. This triumph propelled Mumbai to the top of Group B standings after earlier bonus-point wins against Bihar and Andhra. Set a challenging target of 327, Kerala crumbled for just 94 in 33 overs, with left-arm spinner Shams Mulani wreaking havoc with figures of 5 for 44 in the second innings.
Sanju Samson, who returned to lead Kerala after featuring in a T20I for India against Afghanistan, struggled with scores of 38 and 15 not out. In contrast, Shivam Dube, Samson's India teammate, shone for Mumbai, contributing 51 in their first-innings total of 251. Fast bowler Mohit Avasthi delivered a stellar performance with career-best figures of 7 for 57 in the first innings. Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane also found form with 16 runs, marking his first runs of the season after two consecutive golden ducks.
This result leaves Kerala languishing in the bottom half of the eight-team pool, having managed two draws and an outright defeat in three matches.
Saurashtra's Redemption Against Vidarbha
Defending champions Saurashtra, after facing disappointment in the first two rounds, secured their first win of the season against Vidarbha. Despite Vidarbha's initial success, where Umesh Yadav took four wickets to dismiss Saurashtra for 206 in the first innings, the tables turned dramatically. Vidarbha collapsed for a mere 78, conceding a substantial first-innings advantage.
Cheteshwar Pujara led the comeback with a crucial 66, surpassing 20,000 runs in first-class cricket along the way. With a target of 373, Vidarbha faltered, ultimately getting bowled out for 134. All-rounder Chirag Jani played a pivotal role with a match haul of 9 for 65, ensuring Saurashtra's redemption. Despite the loss, Vidarbha remains in the second position in the group following two earlier significant wins.
Haryana's Resurgence
Vijay Hazare Trophy champions Haryana, after a weather-affected start to the season, recorded back-to-back wins. Following their triumph over Saurashtra, they breezed past Manipur by an innings and 338 runs, with Himanshu Rana smashing a career-best 250 not out. This victory catapulted Haryana to the top of Group B.
Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Shine
In Coimbatore, N Jagadeesan showcased his brilliance with an unbeaten career-best 245, leading Tamil Nadu to an innings and 129-run victory over Railways. This win marked Tamil Nadu's first of the season, placing them back in contention for the knockout stage.
Puducherry, with their second outright win in three games, continued their impressive run. Gaurav Yadav, who previously took a ten-for against Delhi, claimed a match haul of 13 for 93 as they defeated Uttarakhand by 55 runs in Dehradun. Baroda currently tops Group D, followed by Puducherry in the second spot.
Delhi's Struggles Continue
Delhi faced another setback in the third round, losing to Madhya Pradesh. Despite securing a crucial 34-run first-innings lead, Delhi's batting faltered, and they were dismissed for 131 while chasing 218. This loss, coupled with administrative issues, sees Delhi at the bottom of Group D with a solitary point.
Weather Woes Persist
Weather interruptions continued to impact several matches, with debates emerging about the Ranji Trophy scheduling. Matches such as UP vs Bihar, Punjab vs Tripura, Chandigarh vs Gujarat, and Bengal vs Chhattisgarh were all affected, with not even the first innings honours decided. UP faced their third consecutive weather-hit game, while Chandigarh and Punjab also suffered due to fog and bad light.
As the season progresses, the influence of weather on the tournament remains a topic of discussion among players and fans alike, setting the stage for potential changes in the future.
Post a Comment