Ranji Trophy 2026: Andhra Humble Defending Champion Vidarbha To Grab Top Spot

Andhra surged to the top of Group A with a commanding eight-wicket victory over defending champions Vidarbha in their Ranji Trophy match on Sunday.

Set a target of 259, Andhra resumed their second innings at an overnight score of 93 for one and completed the task in 56.1 overs, with Shaik Rasheed remaining unbeaten with a magnificent century.

Rasheed scored 132 off 144 balls and was involved in a crucial third-wicket stand of 145 runs with skipper Ricky Bhui (64 not out off 92 balls), securing the game for Andhra on the fourth and final evening.

Rasheed was batting on 50 when play ended on the third day.

After the early departure of first-innings top-scorer Abhishek Reddy, Rasheed found support in wicketkeeper Srikar Bharat, as they added 99 runs

for the second wicket, laying the foundation for the chase.

Nachiket Bhute (2/83) was the only Vidarbha bowler to take wickets in Andhra’s second innings, reflecting the home team’s dominance.

This result marks a significant comeback for Andhra, who conceded a 67-run first-innings lead after being bowled out for 228 in response to Vidarbha’s 295.

Andhra now leads with 29 points, followed by Vidarbha and Jharkhand, setting up a tight race for knockout qualifications.

In Lucknow, visitors Jharkhand inflicted a humiliating innings and 301-run defeat on Uttar Pradesh, bundling the home team out for 84 in their second innings.

Saurabh Shekhar was the chief destroyer for Jharkhand, taking 5/16, with two wickets each for Jatin Pandey and Sahil Raj.

Brief Scores:

In Anantapur: Vidarbha 295 and 191 all out in 55.2 overs (Aman Mokhade 51, Yash Rathod 56; Kavuri Saiteja 4/28) lost to Andhra (Target 259) 228 and 259/2 in 56.1 overs (Shaik Rasheed 132 not out, Ricky Bhui 64; Nachiket Bhute 2/83) by eight wickets.

In Lucknow: Jharkhand 1st innings 561/6 declared beat Uttar Pradesh 176 and 84 all out in 27.4 overs (Aryan Juyal 24; Saurabh Shekhar 5/16) by an innings and 301 runs.

In Bhubaneswar: Tamil Nadu 286 and 316 all out (Athish SR 88, Guruswamy Ajitesh 49; Badal Biswal 3/56) beat Odisha 148 and 247 all out in 83.5 overs (Anil Parida 98; Nidhish Rajgopal 2/9, R Sai Kishore 2/43, P Vidyuth 2/46, Sonu Yadav 2/39) by 207 runs.

(With PTI Inputs)