Ranji Trophy Round Six Review: Saxena’s Brilliance, Khejroliya’s Hat-Trick, and Pujara’s Century Steal the Show
Saxena’s Age-Defying Performance
Jalaj Saxena, the seasoned all-rounder from Kerala, continues to defy age with his stellar performances in the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy. At 37, Saxena showcased his prowess by claiming a match haul of 13 wickets, including a remarkable 9 for 68 in the first innings against Bengal. His contribution wasn’t limited to the ball, as Saxena also chipped in with crucial runs, scoring 40 and 37 in the two innings. Kerala secured their first win of the season, defeating Bengal by 109 runs. However, despite the victory, the qualification for the knockout stage remains a distant dream for Kerala due to a substantial 11-point gap with second-placed Andhra in Group B.
Bengal’s Struggle and Easwaran’s Resilience
Bengal, too, faced a tough outing against Kerala, with only Abhimanyu Easwaran showing resilience in the batting department. Easwaran, who led India A against England Lions, played crucial knocks of 72 and 65. However, the rest of the Bengal batting lineup struggled to counter Saxena’s bowling onslaught. Shahbaz Ahmed’s innings of 80 in the second innings provided some resistance, but it wasn’t enough. Both Kerala and Bengal are now out of contention for the knockouts, making it increasingly likely that Mumbai and Andhra will emerge as the qualifiers from Group B.
Pandey’s Spin Magic for Railways
Railways’ left-arm-spinner Akash Pandey mirrored Saxena’s heroics by claiming nine wickets in an innings against Goa. The spin maestro orchestrated Goa’s downfall as they collapsed while chasing 306 runs. Despite Suyash Prabhudessai’s resistance with a score of 67, Railways emerged victorious by 63 runs. This win propels Railways to the fourth spot in Group C, keeping their knockout hopes alive. The battle for qualification intensifies in Group C, with Tamil Nadu and Karnataka leading the charge.
Khejroliya’s Hat-Trick Steals the Show
In a historic feat, Kulwant Khejroliya, the left-arm fast bowler, etched his name in Ranji Trophy history by claiming four wickets in four balls against Baroda. Khejroliya’s outstanding match figures of 7 for 57, including the hat-trick, played a pivotal role in Madhya Pradesh securing a bonus-point win. Baroda, despite the defeat, remains in the second spot in Group D, just three points behind leaders Madhya Pradesh. Jammu & Kashmir’s unbeaten streak keeps them in contention for a knockout berth.
Pujara and Jackson Propel Saurashtra
Cheteshwar Pujara and Sheldon Jackson’s centuries powered Saurashtra to a commanding position in Group A. Their big first-innings score, coupled with Dharmendrasinh Jadeja’s 12-wicket haul in the match, led to a bonus-point victory over Rajasthan. Saurashtra defended 306 in style, bundling out Rajasthan for 87 in the second innings. This victory places Saurashtra just two points behind second-placed Haryana in the Group A standings.
Impressive Performances by Jayant and Tewatia
Vidarbha strengthened their position at the top of Group A with a bonus-point victory over Maharashtra. Meanwhile, Haryana’s dominance continued as they crushed Jharkhand by an innings and 205 runs. Rahul Tewatia’s brilliant knock of 144 and Jayant Yadav’s fifer in each innings highlighted their comprehensive victory. With one match to play, Saurashtra remains in contention for a knockout berth, closely trailing Haryana.
Hyderabad and Meghalaya Secure Elite Pool Entry
In the Plate League, Hyderabad and Meghalaya earned promotions to the Elite pool for the next season after reaching the final. Hyderabad’s unbeaten streak after five games and Meghalaya’s three wins secured their spot in the top tier of the Ranji Trophy. As the final approaches, the anticipation builds for these teams to make their mark in the Elite pool.
In conclusion, the sixth round of the Ranji Trophy delivered thrilling performances, individual brilliance, and intriguing team battles. As the competition approaches its climax, teams are leaving no stone unturned in their quest for Ranji glory.
