Tamil Nadu slumped to an innings defeat against Jharkhand on the fourth day of the first-round Ranji Trophy Group A match at Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science ground on Saturday.
Winning by an innings and 114 runs, Jharkhand now has seven points in the kitty.
After nightwatchman Hemchudeshan (3) was beaten on the outside edge to be bowled by pacer Sahil Raj, Shikhar Mohan took an absolute stunner at short leg to dismiss B. Indrajith (22). Indrajith went forward to off-spinner Rishav Raj (four for 49) and tried to turn the ball to the leg side, but the ball looped off his bat, and Mohan leapt backwards to grab a one-handed catch. He did well not to ground the ball when he turned and fell face down, too.
A 100-run sixth-wicket stand between Andre Siddarth (80, 180b, 12×4) and Shahrukh Khan (37, 66b, 5×4) ensued.
Shahrukh frequently shouldered arms to spinners, and was also solid with his block until the one time he missed and was dismissed leg before wicket off left-arm spinner Anukul Roy. He earlier charged at Anukul twice, for fours to the cover and the straight boundaries, and remarkably played a blistering straight drive off Sahil for a four.
But the way Siddarth batted on the day has to be the biggest takeaway for Tamil Nadu from an otherwise forgettable match. A dashing strokemaker by default, Siddarth had to show self-restraint. The knock showcased his defensive ability. He looked so assured of his footwork against the spinners – surely committing to play either on the front foot or back foot. His forward block was as firm as a barn door slamming shut on the bowler.
Andre Siddarth’s attritional essay was the only positive for Tamil Nadu.
| Photo Credit:
Periasamy M
Andre Siddarth’s attritional essay was the only positive for Tamil Nadu.
| Photo Credit:
Periasamy M
He spectacularly played an on drive, a straight drive off his back foot, a step-out cover drive, an imperious aerial cut, a delicately steered cut, an inside-out, and a flick twice for fours. The only time he played the slog sweep, he missed and was bowled off Anukul.
Sandeep Warrier was the last batter dismissed, missing his forward block to be leg before wicket to Anukul. B. Sachin, down with chickenpox, was absent hurt.
Published on Oct 18, 2025
