Jharkhand outclassed former champions Tamil Nadu by an innings and 114 runs, powered by Ishan Kishan’s commanding batting and a striking debut bowling performance from Rishav Raj. The match ended on Saturday with Jharkhand sealing a bonus-point win in their Ranji Trophy Group A campaign, leaving Tamil Nadu unable to recover from two stunning batting spells.
Jharkhand’s total victory was decided by a first innings total of 419 in which Ishan Kishan made an excellent 173. Tamil Nadu faltered from the very start, being dismissed for just 93 runs in their first innings. The Jharkhand bowlers continued to dominate as they took the next game and dismissed TN for 212 in 79 overs. The result not only secured Jharkhand a bonus point but also highlighted the effectiveness of their bowling attack and the fragility of TN’s batting line-up.
Ishan Kishan’s innings proved to be the backbone of Jharkhand’s performance as he took to the crease with the team struggling at 79 for 3 and went on to anchor the side with a brilliant 173. This effort earned him the ‘Man of the Match’ award. Kishan’s contribution was particularly significant as he reminded the selections of his quality after a spell away from the international team and cemented his reputation on the domestic stage.
Debutant off-spinner Rishav Raj, aged 24, produced an impressive spell with figures of 4 for 49 to dismantle the Tamil Nadu opposition on the final day. Rishav had already initiated the collapse on Friday by removing the teenage opener and came back to claim the next two wickets and play a key role in sealing Jharkhand’s victory. His performance marked a remarkable debut in first-class cricket and complemented the work of pacer Sahil Raj, who finished the match with six wickets.
Tamil Nadu’s second innings showed some resistance C Andre Siddarth, who compiled the designated 80 off 180 balls, hit 12 boundaries. Siddarth and M Shahrukh Khan (37) put on 100 runs to take TN from 93 for 5 to 193. However, once Shahrukh Khan was dismissed by Anukul Roy (3 for 42), the lower order crumbled and the last three wickets fell for just 14 runs with the injured tail incapacitated.
The team strategies unfolded with Jharkhand forcing the follow-on after leading them to a sizeable lead in the first innings. Captain Ishan Kishan’s decision to attack with spin on the final day paid off, reflecting a tactical approach that exploited TN’s vulnerabilities to slow bowling. A combination of aggressive batting, timely bowling changes and field placement ensured that Jharkhand maintained control throughout the match.
– The end
Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
October 18, 2025
