In a remarkable achievement, Railways executed the highest successful run chase ever witnessed in the illustrious 90-year-old legacy of the Ranji Trophy. The breathtaking feat was attained during an intense clash against Tripura in the Elite Group C match, ending in an unforgettable win for Upendra Yadav’s spirited squad at the Maharaja Bir Bikram College Stadium in Agartala.
Facing a daunting target of 378 runs, Railways encountered turbulence throughout the match. Despite initially restricting Tripura to a modest 149 runs in their first innings, Railways stumbled in their own batting effort, succumbing to a mere 105 runs and conceding a 45-run deficit. Tripura then set a formidable target of 378 runs in the second innings, seemingly placing Railways on the brink of defeat.
However, amidst the adversity, Railways exhibited extraordinary fortitude. Despite a shaky start at 31/3, highlighted by the prowess of Tripura’s Manisankar Murasingh, the team rallied behind stellar performances from Pratham Singh and Mohammad Saif. Singh’s gritty century and Saif’s aggressive batting prowess spearheaded a sensational 175-run partnership for the 4th wicket, propelling Railways past the halfway mark towards their monumental target.
As Saif departed after a blistering 106 runs, Singh continued to anchor the innings, forging a crucial 118-run alliance with Arindam Ghosh for the 5th wicket. Despite Ghosh’s dismissal, Singh stood unwavering, guiding Railways across the finish line with an unbeaten 169 runs to his name.
Notably, in the opening innings, Railways’ Yuvraj Singh showcased his bowling prowess with a commendable four-wicket haul, restricting Tripura to a modest total of 149 runs, with Sridam Paul emerging as their leading run-scorer with 71 runs. Despite early setbacks in their own batting innings, compounded by Murasingh’s five-wicket haul, Railways defied the odds to script an unforgettable chapter in the storied history of the Ranji Trophy.
While the historic victory propelled Railways to unprecedented heights, their journey in Group C came to a bittersweet conclusion, as they narrowly missed out on further qualification. Nevertheless, their indomitable spirit and unwavering resolve will forever be remembered as they etched their name in cricketing lore with an unparalleled display of courage and tenacity.
