Tamil Nadu dismissed Railways for 184 in 53.3 overs: a good showing by the home team bowlers, at least on the face of it.
A closer look at Monday’s proceedings at the MAC Stadium, though, reveals a story of missed opportunity. Sai Kishore & Co. had the visitor reeling at 123 for nine before Zubair Ali Khan (75, 121b, 7×4, 4×6) took the attack to the bowlers.
His 61-run stand with No. 11 Himanshu Sangwan (7 n.o., 25b, 1×4) frustrated Tamil Nadu for over 13 overs, with Zubair farming strike well and finding the boundary at will.
Earlier, this Ranji Trophy Elite Group D fixture began with Sonu Yadav breathing fire under overcast skies. The medium-pacer bowled eight consecutive overs in his first spell (three for 13), but his figures took a beating during Zubair’s late assault.
Sonu drew first blood by having S. Yuvraj Singh caught at second slip, a terrific grab by B. Indrajith, before trapping southpaws Eshaan Goyal and Mohammad Saif in front. While the conditions were tough for batting, the Railways willow-wielders did not do themselves any favours by going for unnecessary release shots, often leading to a miscue and a catch.
Ravi Singh’s wicket would have hurt Railways the most as it came with barely five minutes left for lunch. The left-hander played across the line against off-spinner J. Hemchudeshan, only to be caught at wide mid-off by Pradosh Ranjan Paul (82 for seven).
If not for Zubair, Tamil Nadu could have had a longer batting stint on day one, and a greater advantage. For now, the host has reached 71 for three in 25 overs, and trails by 113 runs.
By removing Vimal Khumar for a duck, N. Jagadeesan (30, 31b, 4×4) and Pradosh (19), the Railways bowlers have kept their team in the hunt.
The scores: Railways — 1st innings: S. Yuvraj Singh c Indrajith b Sonu 4, Vivek Singh c Hemchudeshan b Sai Kishore 14, Eshaan Goyal lbw b Sonu 0, Mohammad Saif lbw b Sonu 0, Raj Choudhary b Sai Kishore 7, Bhargav Merai c Indrajith b Gurjapneet 17, Ravi Singh c Pradosh b Hemchudeshan 21, Zubair Ali Khan c Vimal b Sai Kishore 75, Toufik Mondal c Indrajith b Hemchudeshan 18, Pradhyumn Parikh c Pradosh b Ajith Ram 9, Himanshu Sangwan (not out) 7; Extras (b-9, lb-2, w-1): 12; Total (in 53.3 overs): 184.
Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-7, 3-7, 4-18, 5-33, 6-51, 7-82, 8-102, 9-123.
Tamil Nadu bowling: Gurjapneet 12-3-27-1, Sonu 11-1-46-3, Sai Kishore 13.3-0-53-3, Ajith Ram 12-3-27-1, Hemchudeshan 5-0-20-2.
Tamil Nadu — 1st innings: Vimal Khumar b Himanshu 0, N. Jagadeesan b Toufik 30, Pradosh Ranjan Paul c & b Toufik 19, B. Indrajith (batting) 13, Andre Siddarth (batting) 8; Extras (w-1): 1; Total (for three wkts. in 25 overs): 71.
Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-44, 3-55.
Railways bowling: Himanshu 6-1-18-1, Zubair 4-0-11-0, Yuvraj 1-0-7-0, Raj 5-1-16-0, Toufik 7-1-15-2, Pradhyumn 2-0-4-0.
Published – October 26, 2026 07:14 pm IST
