What's Happening?
In a historic Ranji Trophy match, Services defeated Assam in just 90 overs, marking the shortest completed match in the tournament's history. The game, held at the Tinsukia District Sports Association Ground, saw a total of 540 balls bowled, surpassing
the previous record of 547 balls set in a 1961-62 match between Delhi and Railways. Services' bowlers Arjun Sharma and Mohit Jangra made history by both achieving hat-tricks in the same innings, a first in the 91-year history of the Ranji Trophy. Assam, after opting to bat first, was dismissed for 103 runs, with Pradyun Saikia scoring 52. Services responded with 108 runs, and Assam collapsed to 75 all out in their second innings. Services chased down the target of 71 runs in just 13.5 overs, securing a decisive victory.
Why It's Important?
This match is significant as it sets a new benchmark for brevity in the Ranji Trophy, highlighting the dominance of Services' bowling attack. The dual hat-tricks by Arjun Sharma and Mohit Jangra underscore the exceptional talent within the Services team, potentially influencing future team selections and strategies. The victory propels Services to the top of Elite Group C with 13 points, enhancing their prospects in the tournament. For Assam, the loss highlights areas for improvement, particularly in batting resilience. The match also revives interest in the Tinsukia venue, which had not hosted a Ranji Trophy game since 2001.
