Cricket

Delhi's Yash Dhull, battling cramps and dirt-stained flannels, fought valiantly on day three of the Ranji Trophy clash against Tamil Nadu. With minutes remaining before the close of play, Dhull launched a six off Tamil Nadu seamer M. Mohammed, notching up his sixth First Class century.Dhull's unbeaten 103 took Delhi to 264 for 8 at stumps, but the home side still faces a daunting deficit of 410 runs against Tamil Nadu's mammoth 674 for six declared. Top-order batter Dhruv Kaushik is unlikely to bat after suffering a blow to his right thumb while fielding, leaving Dhull and Pranshu Vijayran, who is also nursing a side strain, as Delhi's last batting pair.Tamil Nadu's bowlers flexed their muscle on day three, with Gurjapneet Singh, M. Mohammed, and Washington Sundar claiming two wickets apiece. Sonu Yadav and S. Ajith Ram also contributed with one scalp each. The bowlers inflicted most of the damage during the opening session.Despite Gurjapneet's probing lengths, openers Sanat Sangwan and Harsh Tyagi managed to negotiate the first hour of play. However, Washington's off-spin yielded the opening breakthrough, leading to a cluster of wickets as Delhi slumped from 74 for one to 103 for five at the lunch interval.Dhull and Pranav Rajvanshi showed resilience, adding 75 runs for the sixth wicket in a wicketless second session. But in the very first over after tea, Rajvanshi was snaffled by Andre Siddarth at short leg off Washington, leaving Delhi's hopes of a fightback entirely on Dhull's shoulders.

Washington Sundar's seven-year wait for a First Class century ended in dramatic fashion as he guided Tamil Nadu to a strong position against Delhi in the Ranji Trophy. The 25-year-old's knock of 152 at No. 3 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium showcased his versatility and underlined his potential as a top-order batter.Sundar's prolonged absence from the century club was not due to a lack of form, but rather a reflection of his multiple commitments and batting positions for Tamil Nadu and India. Often relegated to the lower order due to his classification as a spin-bowling all-rounder, he has had to settle for cameos rather than substantial innings.However, his recent performances have demonstrated that he possesses the attributes of a quality top-order batter. In his last Test innings against England in 2021, he was stranded on 96 after coming in at No. 8. His century against Delhi further cements his credentials as a reliable and consistent performer in the classical format."It was a decision by the management, and I'm grateful for the opportunity. I knew it was going to be a good opportunity for me to bat at No. 3," Sundar said after the second day's play.Former India coach Ravi Shastri and ex-Tamil Nadu coach W.V. Raman have both expressed their belief that Sundar can be utilized in the top six in Tests. Sundar himself agrees, stating, "Definitely, I always consider myself to be a top-order batter. Hopefully, I can deliver such knocks very consistently. I have been feeling very confident about how I have been batting in the last few years."Sundar's century is a testament to his hard work and dedication. It also highlights the importance of giving players opportunities to showcase their skills in different roles. With his ability to contribute with both bat and ball, Sundar is a valuable asset to any team and has the potential to become a key player for India in the future.

The Tamil Nadu under-19 women's cricket team has etched its name in history by claiming the BCCI Women's under-19 T20 tournament for the first time. Their triumph over Uttar Pradesh by four wickets in a low-scoring match at Lahli, Haryana on Friday marked a significant milestone for women's cricket in the state.The TN U-19 women's team manager, Pushpa Sathyanarayanan, expressed her pride and joy over the team's stunning victory. She attributed their success to the players' unwavering passion for the game, determination, and exceptional teamwork. Sathyanarayanan emphasized that the team's journey to victory had been nothing short of inspiring, with the players' commitment and the unwavering support of coaches, parents, and the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) playing a crucial role."This triumph is not just a victory for the team, but a celebration of women's cricket in Tamil Nadu," Sathyanarayanan said. "This is a dream come true for all of us. The Under-19 girls cricket team members would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the TNCA for their unwavering support and their motive to develop women's cricket in the region."The match itself was a tense and closely contested affair. Uttar Pradesh posted a modest total of 67 runs in 19.2 overs, with Janlin Chandra emerging as the standout bowler for Tamil Nadu, claiming four wickets for just 11 runs. In response, Tamil Nadu chased down the target in 19.1 overs, losing six wickets in the process.The victory has sparked widespread jubilation and recognition for the Tamil Nadu under-19 women's cricket team. Their achievement is a testament to the growing strength and talent of women's cricket in India, and it is hoped that their success will inspire future generations of young girls to pursue their dreams in the sport.

Tamil Nadu's Ranji Trophy campaign commenced with a resounding innings and 70-run victory over Saurashtra, a formidable force in domestic cricket. The triumph was orchestrated by the brilliance of left-arm seamer Gurjapneet Singh, who claimed a six-wicket haul in Saurashtra's second innings, dismissing them for a paltry 94 runs.Gurjapneet's devastating spell proved too much for Saurashtra's renowned batting lineup, including veterans Cheteshwar Pujara and Sheldon Jackson. His remarkable figures of 14-5-22-6 included the crucial wickets of Chirag Jani, Arpit Vasavada, and Prerak Mankad.The foundation for Tamil Nadu's victory was laid in the first innings, where their bowlers restricted Saurashtra to 203. In response, Tamil Nadu's batsmen asserted their dominance, with Narayan Jagadeesan leading the charge with a century. Sai Sudharsan contributed a solid 82, while Pradosh Ranjan Paul chipped in with 49, helping Tamil Nadu post an imposing 367 on the board.When Saurashtra came out to bat again, they faced immense pressure. Gurjapneet struck early, removing Cheteshwar Pujara for a six-ball duck. Despite efforts to recover the pitch after heavy rainfall, the conditions favored Tamil Nadu's seamers, and Gurjapneet exploited them to the fullest.Saurashtra's batting collapse handed Tamil Nadu a massive innings victory, securing all seven points from the game. The win marks an ideal start for the team as they set their sights on their next match against Delhi on October 18.

B. Sai Sudharsan's maiden double century in First-Class cricket propelled Tamil Nadu to a dominant start against Delhi in the Ranji Trophy clash at Arun Jaitley Stadium. The 23-year-old opener's unbeaten 202 formed the cornerstone of Tamil Nadu's imposing 379 for one at stumps on day one.Sudharsan's knock was a testament to his exceptional talent and composure. Despite a couple of close calls, he remained unfazed, showcasing his ability to handle pressure with ease. His innings was a blend of aggression and patience, as he punished loose deliveries while respecting the good ones.The opening partnership between Sudharsan and N. Jagadeesan (65) laid the foundation for Tamil Nadu's strong position. The duo put on 168 runs before Jagadeesan was dismissed by Navdeep Saini. Washington Sundar, playing his first Ranji game of the season, then joined Sudharsan and stitched together a second-wicket stand of 211 runs. Sundar remained unbeaten on 96 at the close of play.Delhi's bowling attack lacked penetration, with only Saini managing to break through. The absence of a frontline pacer was evident, as Pranshu Vijayran was forced off the field due to an ankle sprain.Tamil Nadu will be looking to build on their strong start and put themselves in a commanding position on day two. Sudharsan and Sundar will be key to their hopes, as they aim to extend their partnership and pile on the runs.

Debutant pacer Gurjapneet Singh's exceptional spell (9-5-7-4) in the second innings propelled Tamil Nadu to a commanding position against Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy (Elite Group D) clash at the Sri Ramakrishna College ground on Sunday.TN, who resumed day three on 278 for three, were bowled out for 367 at the stroke of lunch, securing a 164-run first-innings lead. Gurjapneet, wicketless in the first essay, wreaked havoc on the Saurashtra top-order, leaving the opposition reeling at 16 for five.The tall left-arm seamer exploited the new ball effectively, coming around the wicket and shaping it away from the right-handers. He also judiciously employed the short ball and claimed his maiden wicket when Chirag Jani, surprised by a bouncer, pulled it straight to mid-wicket.Gurjapneet then dismissed Cheteshwar Pujara, trapping him plumb in front for a duck. Parshwaraj Rana was the next to go, edging a pull to the keeper down the leg-side before Prerark Mankad got squared up and was caught behind.Earlier in the day, another left-arm pacer and Saurashtra skipper, Jaydev Unadkat (six for 61), led from the front as he scythed through the TN middle order with the second new ball, claiming his 24th five-for in first-class cricket.The veteran pacer kept it full, swinging it both ways and pinning the batters to the crease in his seven-over burst (7-3-13-4) that saw the home team lose five wickets for 18 runs.However, 18-year-old debutant C. Andre Siddarth (38) played an assured knock and, alongside M. Mohammed, added 60 runs for the ninth-wicket to take the lead past 150.With rain expected on the fourth and final day, Sai Kishore's men will desperately hope for sunshine as they sense an opportunity to start the season with a big win.

Tamil Nadu's Narayan Jagadeesan and B Sai Sudharsan put on a dominant batting display to propel their team to a commanding position against former champions Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group D match.Jagadeesan, the Tamil Nadu captain, struck a fluent 100 off 165 deliveries, laced with 11 boundaries. Sudharsan, the young opener, contributed a solid 82 off 159 balls, hitting eight fours. Their 172-run opening partnership laid the foundation for Tamil Nadu's strong start.At stumps on the second day, Tamil Nadu had reached 278 for three, taking a 75-run lead over Saurashtra's first-innings total of 203. Pradosh Ranjan Paul (45 not out) and Boopathi Vaishna Kumar (0 not out) were at the crease.In Chandigarh, Railways set a challenging target of 341 for the hosts, who were struggling at 31/1 at stumps. Chandigarh had earlier bowled out Railways for 147, but their own batting collapsed, with Akash Pandey taking five wickets for just 38 runs.Upendra Yadav's sensational 124 in the second innings helped Railways consolidate their position. Opener Vivek Singh also chipped in with 54 as Railways posted 307 in their second innings.In another Group D tie at Raipur, Delhi made slow progress in their chase of Chhattisgarh's 343. Skipper Himmat Singh remained unbeaten on 50 off 72 balls, while Harsh Tyagi was on six not out. Delhi ended the day on 177/4, trailing by 166 runs.At Guwahati, hosts Assam were in trouble against Jharkhand, trailing by 252 runs in the first innings. None of the Assam batters could convert their starts, with opener Parvez Musaraf top-scoring with 35.

N. Jagadeesan, Tamil Nadu's prolific batsman, has carried his impressive form from last season into the new Ranji Trophy campaign. On Saturday, he notched up a magnificent century against Saurashtra at the Sri Ramakrishna College Ground, a venue that holds special significance for him.Jagadeesan, who began his cricketing journey at the same ground as a 10-year-old, expressed his emotions after scoring his third First Class century at the venue. "It's a special feeling because this is where I grew up playing the game," he said. "I started my career here on a matting wicket, and I've been playing matches here since my under-13 days."Reflecting on his knock, the 28-year-old explained the challenges he faced. "The conditions were overcast, and the new ball offered some assistance off the pitch," he said. "Given the circumstances, it was important to react quickly and then test my patience as they started bowling outside off."Jagadeesan's partnership with B. Sai Sudharsan was characterized by excellent running between the wickets. The duo has consciously worked on this aspect over the last two years, recognizing that their right-left combination can unsettle bowlers.Jagadeesan's performances last year earned him a spot in the Duleep Trophy recently. However, the TN vice-captain emphasized that his focus remains on continuous improvement rather than results. "I'm not looking forward to anything in particular," he said. "A result is not a given. The only thing that is given is my process and the way I approach every innings."

Coimbatore: Tamil Nadu captain R. Sai Kishore is urging his team to adopt an aggressive and fearless approach as they prepare for the upcoming domestic season, which begins on Friday. "Our preparation has been good, and we want to play a positive brand of cricket," said Sai Kishore on the eve of his side's first match against Saurashtra.TN reached the semifinals last season after a six-year absence, and expectations are high this year. When asked about it, Sai Kishore explained, "There are always expectations not just from outside but even within ourselves. We had six players in the Duleep Trophy, and we have set high standards. But we just want to focus on our job."While he led from the front, taking 53 scalps and topping the wicket-takers charts last year, the 27-year-old also came under criticism for his decision to bat first on a seamer-friendly pitch against Mumbai in the semis, which proved costly. "Captaincy, in terms of player management and being honest with them, came naturally to me. On the tactical side, I had a few things to learn and have worked on it. I have spoken to a few captains ahead of the season," he revealed.Meanwhile, Saurashtra skipper Jaydev Unadkat backed his experienced players to come good against TN. "Almost 80 or probably 90% of our squad has been playing for the last seven or eight seasons and has 60-70 games (experience), which is our strength. When you start against a team as good as them (TN), it sets you up for the season."