Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Baba Indrajith salvages draw for Tamil Nadu against Vidarbha on final day
Baba Indrajith backed up his fine 96 from the first innings with a steely unbeaten 77 (189b, 5×4) and almost single-handedly ensured Tamil Nadu salvaged a draw against Vidarbha on the final day of the third round Ranji Trophy (Elite Group-A) clash here at the Sri Ramakrishna College ground on Tuesday.
Needing to play out the day to secure a point, the TN top-order stood exposed against some disciplined medium-pace bowling led by Praful Hinge, who scalped four wickets.
In the end, Indrajith’s resolute knock, and supported by valuable contributions from S.R. Athish and M. Shahrukh Khan, meant the home team got to 233 for six and secured a solitary point.
After conceding a 210-run lead, the host resumed the day at five for no loss and was quickly reduced to 47 for three.
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Opener Vimal Khumar played down the wrong line and had his off-stump pegged back while first-innings centurion Pradosh Ranjan Paul chipped one straight to square-leg to Yash Rathod, who plucked it by leaping to his left.
Andre Siddharth was the next to go when Hinge produced a fine piece of fielding off his own bowling, diving to his left to snatch a fine return catch.
Athish and Indrajith then added 52 for the fourth wicket, with the former using his feet well against the spinners.
Shahrukh Khan then gave the innings some momentum, scoring a brisk 40, but got squared up to a straight delivery from Hinge and had his stumps rearranged.
Fortunately for TN, Indrajith stood tall and stonewalled the Vidarbha bowling attack. He was the only batter who looked untroubled against the pacers and spinners by being decisive in his footwork and covering the line of the ball.
After tea, Hinge had Mohamed Ali caught behind, but skipper R. Sai Kishore and Indrajith managed to keep the visitor at bay for the next 90 minutes.
The scoreboard:
Tamil Nadu – 1st innings: 291
Vidarbha – 1st innings: 501
Tamil Nadu – 2nd innings: S.R. Athish lbw b Rekhade 46, R. Vimal Khumar b Hinge 9, Pradosh Ranjan Paul c Rathod b Lalit 14, Andre Siddarth c&b Hinge 11, B. Indrajith (not out) 77, M. Shahrukh Khan b Hinge 40, Mohamed Ali c Wadkar b Hinge 25, R. Sai Kishore (not out) 4, Extras (b-5, lb-1, w-1): 7;
Total (for six wkts in 89 overs): 233
Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-29, 3-47, 4-99, 5-155, 6-207
Vidarbha bowling: Bhute 14-6-19-0, Rekhade 29-4-64-1, Hinge 20-3-60-4, Lalit 14-2-46-1, Karnewar 11-2-37-0, Mokhade 1-0-1-0.
Match drawn. TN 1 (4); Vidarbha 3 (13).
Published on Nov 04, 2025
