Tamil Nadu effortlessly chased down a modest target and secured a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over Punjab on the final day in Salem on Monday, securing their place at the top of Group C and qualifying for the Ranji Trophy quarter-finals. With a straightforward win, Tamil Nadu accumulated six points, allowing them to lead the group with a total of 28 points from seven matches. Karnataka, who managed a draw against Chandigarh in Hubballi on Monday, also secured a spot in the quarter-finals by finishing second in the group with 27 points.
Tamil Nadu’s left-arm spinner Sai Kishore showcased his bowling prowess, claiming four wickets to dismiss Punjab for 231 in 64.2 overs. Punjab, having followed-on after scoring 274 in their first innings in response to Tamil Nadu’s 435, struggled in their second innings. Ajith Ram (3/52) and Pradosh Ranjan Paul (3/23) continued their impressive bowling performance from Sunday, adding one wicket each as Punjab managed to add just 51 runs from 24.2 overs, losing six wickets in their second innings.
Punjab began the final day at 180 for 4. Needing just 71 runs for an outright win, Tamil Nadu reached the target in just seven overs for the loss of one wicket. Narayan Jagadeesan and Pradosh Ranjan Paul remained unbeaten on 26 and 22 respectively while Suresh Lokeshwar made 19 as Tamil Nadu reached 71 for 1 to win the match.
In Hubbali, Chandigarh ended the final day on 236 for 5 in their second innings after Karnataka had piled up a massive 563 for 5 declared in their first innings on Sunday to draw the match. Chandigarh had made 267 in their first innings. Karnataka secured three points from the match on the basis of first innings lead. Chandigarh got one point from the drawn match and ended at seventh spot in the eight-team group with six points. Gujarat, who had beaten Goa by seven wickets in Porvorim on Sunday, missed the bus as they finished third in the group with 25 points — two less than that of Karnataka — from seven matches. Railways, who beat Tripura by five wickets on Monday in Agartala, finished fourth with 24 points from seven matches.
