That was close! Sai Kishore & Co. heave a sigh of relief after taking the lead.
| Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR
It is not without reason that cricket is called the ‘Gentleman’s Game’.
When Imliwati Lemtur, running out of partners and closing in on yet another milestone, was trapped in front by Sai Kishore for a magnificent 146 (287b, 20×4, 3×6), the entire Tamil Nadu team ran up to congratulate him — a heart-warming gesture that summed up the spirit of the contest.
With that wicket, Nagaland was bowled out for 446 in 157.4 overs in its first innings, handing TN a valuable 66-run first-innings lead and three crucial points on the final day of the Group A Ranji Trophy fixture at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Grounds here on Tuesday.
Play on the final morning began an hour and 49 minutes late due to bad weather, with overnight centurions Dega Nischal and Lemtur resuming their innings.
But what followed was a complete shift in tempo — the pacers looked far more energetic, fiery, and purposeful than on previous days.
The 18-year-old R.S. Ambrish led the way, steaming in with intent and unsettling both batters with a barrage of short deliveries.
He was well supported by the experienced Sandeep Warrier and left-armer Gurjapneet Singh, as the trio relentlessly peppered the batters with sharp, rising deliveries.
The ploy worked to perfection. Ambrish, after pushing Nischal (175, 376b, 25×4) onto the back foot, finally drew him into a drive outside off to end a marathon 230-run sixth-wicket stand.
Once that breakthrough arrived, TN tightened its grip.
Warrier castled Tahmeed Rahman, while left-arm spinner D.T. Chandrasekar accounted for Ronit More and Saurav Kumar.
Lemtur’s vigil ended soon after lunch, leaving Nagaland short of Tamil Nadu’s total. But the moment that defined the day came later, when double centurion Pradosh Ranjan Paul, named Player of the Match, graciously handed over his award and prize money to Lemtur — a gesture that spoke volumes of respect and defined the true spirit of the ‘Gentleman’s Game’.
The scores:
Tamil Nadu — 1st innings: 512 for three decl.
Nagaland — 1st innings: Sedezhalie Rupero b Gurjapneet 6, Dega Nischal c Athish b Ambrish 175, Hem Chetri c Athish b Gurjapneet 0, Rongsen Jonathan c Indrajith b Gurjapneet 0, Chetan Bist b Gurjapneet 4, Yugandhar Singh c Athish b Chandrasekar 67, Imliwati Lemtur lbw b Sai Kishore 146, Tahmeed Rahman b Warrier 13, Ronit More b Chandrasekar 7, Saurav Kumar c Indrajith b Chandrasekar 9, Odilemba Kichu (not out) 0; Extras (w-4, nb-2, lb-8, pen-5): 19; Total (in 157.4 overs): 446.
Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-9, 3-9, 4-31, 5-160, 6-390, 7-410, 8-428, 9-442.
Tamil Nadu bowling: Warrier 34-10-99-1, Gurjapneet 33-9-75-4, Ambrish 14-4-54-1, Sai Kishore 38.4-11-102-1, Chandrasekar 29-5-69-3, Pradosh 4-0-14-0, Shahrukh 5-1-20-0.
Published – October 28, 2025 11:01 pm IST
