Ranji Trophy 2026-27: Twin strikes sting Hyderabad at the close, needs 246 to win

Hyderabad was set a 259-run target for victory but faltered with Tanmay Agarwal and Ruthik Yadav falling for ducks before the end of day's play.

In a sport that loves a neat symmetry, Wednesday offered a cruel one for Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy: a blow to open the day against Chhattisgarh at the Gymkhana, a blow to close it, and in the middle a stretch of hard-won hope that never quite hardened into anything solid.

Just like the visitors a day earlier, Hyderabad lasted only 3.1 overs on day three, adding just five runs before Tanay Thyagarajann was caught leg before. With it, the first-innings lead was conceded.

Buoyed by that, Chhattisgarh came out looking to pile on the runs as Ayush Pandey and Anuj Tiwary found the fence in each of the first three overs. Rakshann Readdi halted the charge by removing Ayush, and a few overs later Aniketh sent Anuj packing.

Ranji Trophy 2026-27: Late resistance keeps Hyderabad afloat after Jadeja's five-fer Ranji Trophy 2026-27: Late resistance keeps Hyderabad afloat after Jadeja's five-fer Hyderabad was reduced to 275 for nine, still trailing Chhattisgarh by nine runs at Stumps on day 2 of their Ranji Trophy clash. Ranji Trophy 2026-27: Late resistance keeps Hyderabad afloat after Jadeja's five-fer storyline 1

Another setback followed after the drinks break, when Vikalp Tiwari's backfoot punch went straight to Varun Goud at mid-off. The momentum was Hyderabad's, but it could not capitalise. Mayank Verma and Sanjeet Desai played a calculated hand, Mayank taking the initiative to keep the scoreboard ticking while Sanjeet was happy to play second fiddle.

Both brought up their half-centuries after lunch, Mayank in 60 balls and Sanjeet in 121. When Tanay breached Sanjeet's defence to end the 115-run partnership, it came as a relief for Hyderabad.

Looking to try something different, C.V. Milind turned to Abhirath Reddy, who struck in just his second ball of the match, rattling Prateek Yadav's stumps and setting off on an Imran Tahir-esque celebratory run.

Faster, fuller, smarter: How Vidarbha's left-arm spinners outbowled Madhya Pradesh Faster, fuller, smarter: How Vidarbha's left-arm spinners outbowled Madhya Pradesh Bowling in tandem, Vidarbha's Harsh Dubey and Path Rekhade ran through all the tricks of the left-arm spin trade with ruthless efficiency to Madhya Pradesh's batters looking clueless. The pair has been the backbone of a strong start to the Ranji season for the side. Faster, fuller, smarter: How Vidarbha's left-arm spinners outbowled Madhya Pradesh storyline 1

Five overs into the third session, Rakshann and Aniketh accounted for Mayank, Ajay Mandal, Jayant Yadav and Amandeep Khare, and Hyderabad sensed a quick finish. However, it was not to be, as Chhattisgarh dug in with a 55-run last-wicket stand to finish on 254.

Chasing 259 for victory, Tanmay Agarwal and Abhirath walked out looking to see off the five overs left until stumps. But Dev Aditya Singh had other plans. He dismissed Tanmay and Ruthik Yadav for ducks, dealing Hyderabad a late twin blow.

The scores Chhattisgarh - 1st innings: 284. Hyderabad - 1st innings: Tanmay Agarwal c Anuj b Jadeja 3, Abhirath Reddy c&b Jayant 35, Rahul Radesh c Ayush b Jadeja 72, K. Himateja b Aditya 46, Varun Goud c Prateek b Dharmendrasinh 23, Pragnay Reddy b Jadeja 17, Ruthik Yadav b Jadeja 4, C.V. Milind c Ajay b Jadeja 1, Tanay Thyagarajann lbw b Jayant 34, Aniketh Reddy c Aditya b Ajay 32, Rakshann Readdi (not out) 1; Extras (b-8, lb-4): 12; Total (in 86.1 overs): 280. Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-65, 3-138, 4-173, 5-195, 6-210, 7-212, 8-212, 9-262. Chhattisgarh bowling: Aditya 19-2-52-2, Jadeja 24-3-84-5, Jayant 24.1-2-75-2, Ajay 12-3-37-1, Prateek 1-0-1-0, Vikalp 6-0-19-0.

Chhattisgarh - 2nd innings: Ayush Pandey lbw b Rakshann 10, Anuj Tiwary c Pragnay b Aniketh 17, Vikalp Tiwari c Varun b Ruthik 14, Mayank Verma b Rakshann 81, Sanjeet Desai b Tanay 51, Prateek Yadav b Abhirath 18, Amandeep Khare c Abhirath b Rakshann 6, Ajay Mandal c Tanmay b Aniketh 0, Jaynat Yadav b Aniketh 0, Dev Aditya Singh (not out) 17, Dharmendrasinh Jadeja lbw b Ruthik 38; Extras (b-1, lb-1): 2; Total (in 68.4 overs): 254. Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-31, 3-47, 4-162, 5-190, 6-196, 7-197, 8-199, 9-199. Hyderabad bowling: Milind 9-1-23-0, Rakshann 13-1-45-3, Aniketh 18-3-68-3, Tanay 18-2-71-1, Ruthik 7.4-1-35-2, Varun 2-0-8-0, Abhirath 1-0-2-1.

Hyderabad - 2nd innings: Tanmay Agarwal c Prateek b Aditya 0, Abhirath Reddy (batting) 8, Ruthik Yadav c Ajay b Aditya 0, Rahul Radesh (batting) 3; Extras (lb-2): 2; Total (for two wkts. in five overs): 13. Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-0. Chhattisgarh bowling: Aditya 3-1-7-2, Dharmendrasinh 1-0-4-0, Jayant 1-1-0-0. The scores Chhattisgarh - 1st innings: 284. Hyderabad - 1st innings: Tanmay Agarwal c Anuj b Jadeja 3, Abhirath Reddy c&b Jayant 35, Rahul Radesh c Ayush b Jadeja 72, K. Himateja b Aditya 46, Varun Goud c Prateek b Dharmendrasinh 23, Pragnay Reddy b Jadeja 17, Ruthik Yadav b Jadeja 4, C.V.

Milind c Ajay b Jadeja 1, Tanay Thyagarajann lbw b Jayant 34, Aniketh Reddy c Aditya b Ajay 32, Rakshann Readdi (not out) 1; Extras (b-8, lb-4): 12; Total (in 86.1 overs): 280. Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-65, 3-138, 4-173, 5-195, 6-210, 7-212, 8-212, 9-262. Chhattisgarh bowling: Aditya 19-2-52-2, Jadeja 24-3-84-5, Jayant 24.1-2-75-2, Ajay 12-3-37-1, Prateek 1-0-1-0, Vikalp 6-0-19-0. Chhattisgarh - 2nd innings: Ayush Pandey lbw b Rakshann 10, Anuj Tiwary c Pragnay b Aniketh 17, Vikalp Tiwari c Varun b Ruthik 14, Mayank Verma b Rakshann 81, Sanjeet Desai b Tanay 51, Prateek Yadav b Abhirath 18, Amandeep Khare c Abhirath b Rakshann 6, Ajay Mandal c Tanmay b Aniketh 0, Jaynat Yadav b Aniketh 0, Dev Aditya Singh (not out)

17, Dharmendrasinh Jadeja lbw b Ruthik 38; Extras (b-1, lb-1): 2; Total (in 68.4 overs): 254. Fall of wickets: 1-15, 2-31, 3-47, 4-162, 5-190, 6-196, 7-197, 8-199, 9-199. Hyderabad bowling: Milind 9-1-23-0, Rakshann 13-1-45-3, Aniketh 18-3-68-3, Tanay 18-2-71-1, Ruthik 7.4-1-35-2, Varun 2-0-8-0, Abhirath 1-0-2-1. Hyderabad - 2nd innings: Tanmay Agarwal c Prateek b Aditya 0, Abhirath Reddy (batting) 8, Ruthik Yadav c Ajay b Aditya 0, Rahul Radesh (batting) 3; Extras (lb-2): 2; Total (for two wkts. in five overs): 13. Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-0. Chhattisgarh bowling: Aditya 3-1-7-2, Dharmendrasinh 1-0-4-0, Jayant 1-1-0-0.