Secunderabad, Oct 13 Hyderabad started their Ranji Trophy 2026-27 campaign with an innings and 40-run win over Tripura on the third day of their Elite Group B match here on Tuesday.
Pacers Tanay Thyagarajan and Mohammad Siraj shared eight wickets between them as Hyderabad bundled out Tripura, overnight 99 for seven, for 120 in their second innings.
Hyderabad amassed seven points from the match, including a bonus point.
Thyagarajan was the destroyer-in-chief with a six-wicket haul (6/52) while India pacer Siraj ended up with two for 19 from nine overs.
Thyagarajan dismissed overnight batter Sentu Sarkar early in the first session and Tripura offered a little fight thereafter.
Resuming their second innings in a difficult position, Tripura needed a substantial partnership to extend the contest, but Hyderabad’s disciplined attack ensured that no such stand developed. The visitors’ lower order struggled to counter the movement and accuracy of the home bowlers.
Thyagarajan kept the pressure on with a probing spell and was rewarded with wickets at regular intervals. His six-wicket haul completed a memorable match for the bowler, who had already played a key role in restricting Tripura during the first innings.
Siraj, returning to domestic cricket, complemented Thyagarajan effectively from the other end. Bowling with pace and control, he conceded only 19 runs in nine overs and made it difficult for the Tripura batters to score freely.
Once Sarkar was removed, Hyderabad sensed an early finish and attacked the remaining batters with close catchers around the wicket. Tripura’s resistance lasted only briefly as the innings folded for 120, giving Hyderabad a comprehensive victory.
The result also gave Hyderabad the maximum possible points from the match, with the bonus point strengthening their position at the start of the campaign.
Hyderabad will now face Andhra in the second match of the group from October 18, while Tripura will be up against Assam.
Andhra optimistic but Nair stands firm
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In Vijayawada, Karnataka led Andhra by 32 runs in their second innings after the hosts posted 418 in reply to the visitors’ first-innings total of 274.
Karnataka were 176 for four at stumps on the third day, with star batter Karun Nair and captain Ravichandran Smaran batting on 81 and 21, respectively.
After failing in the first innings, India batter KL Rahul (1) fell cheaply again, while Mayank Agarwal managed just 18.
Saurabh Kumar picked up three wickets for 41 runs for Andhra in Karnataka’s second innings.
Vihaan’s century guides Punjab to 287/5
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In New Chandigarh, Punjab trailed Assam by 86 runs after reaching 287 for five in their first innings, with opener Vihaan Malhotra scoring a century (103) for the hosts.
Swarupam Purkayastha picked up two wickets for Assam on the day.
Assam had scored 373 in their first innings in the rain-affected contest.
Saurashtra ahead against Chhattisgarh
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In Rajkot, Saurashtra reached 45 without loss in their second innings to extend their overall lead to 125 runs against Chhattisgarh.
Saurashtra, who scored 392 in their first innings, secured a crucial 80-run lead after bowling out Chhattisgarh for 312 in their first essay. Veteran India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja returned figures of 3/40 in 16.4 overs.
Chhattisgarh captain Anuj Tiwary top-scored with 72, while wicketkeeper Mayank Verma contributed 68.
(PTI News)
