TNCA XI Dominate Mumbai, Secure Semifinal Berth in Buchi Babu Tournament

TNCA XI Dominate Mumbai, Secure Semifinal Berth in Buchi Babu Tournament

TNCA XI tightened their grip on the Buchi Babu tournament, piling on the misery for Mumbai in the third round match at the Sri Ramakrishna College Cricket Ground. After dismissing Mumbai for a paltry 156 in the first innings, TNCA XI piled up a mammoth 286 in their second essay, leaving Mumbai with an improbable target of 510.

Mumbai’s batting woes continued in their second innings, as they stumbled to six for no loss at stumps on day three. The home team is now on the cusp of a semifinal berth, having virtually sealed three points from this match.

TNCA XI’s dominance began with their bowlers, led by Sai Kishore’s five-wicket haul. Mumbai captain Sarfaraz Khan, who missed the second day due to illness, returned to bat at No. 10 but was dismissed by Kishore along with Divyansh Saxena (70).

Undeterred, TNCA XI opted to bat again and established a solid opening partnership of 142 runs between S.R. Athish (57) and S. Lokeshwar (73). Despite a spirited fightback from Mumbai’s tweakers Shams Mulani (four for 73) and Tanush Kotian (five for 91), the damage had already been done in the first innings.

Suryakumar Yadav, who had bowled the final over before lunch, did not field in the later part of the innings after suffering a blow to his hand while fielding in the slips.

Mumbai’s hopes now rest on a miracle, as they need a win to secure a place in the next stage. The scores at the end of day three stand as follows:

TNCA XI 379 & 286 in 79.2 overs (Athish 57, Lokeshwar 73, Mokit 52, Mulani 4/73, Kotian 5/91) vs Mumbai 156 in 63.2 overs (Divyansh 70, Sai Kishore 5/36) & 6/0 in two overs.

Sai Kishore Eyes Comeback as India's Top Spinner

Sai Kishore Eyes Comeback as India’s Top Spinner

Sai Kishore, the promising all-rounder from Tamil Nadu, is poised for a comeback after overcoming a debilitating neck injury. The Gujarat Titans player made waves in IPL 2024 with his match-winning spell against Punjab Kings, earning him the Player of the Match award. However, his success was cut short when he sustained a neck injury while playing golf.

Undeterred, Kishore sought rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. In July, he returned to competitive action in the Tamil Nadu Premier League for Tiruppur Tamizhans. Reflecting on his recovery journey, Kishore expressed gratitude for the support he received from various individuals, including his wife.

“The neck is essential for everything we do,” Kishore said. “I couldn’t move or sit without excruciating pain. I had to set alarms every two hours to wake up and walk.”

Despite the challenges, Kishore remained determined to return to the field. “Getting back to normal life was an achievement in itself,” he said. “Cricket was a bonus.”

Kishore exudes confidence in his abilities, declaring himself “one of the best spinners” in India. He aspires to play alongside Ravindra Jadeja in Test cricket, believing it would be an invaluable learning experience.

“I’ve never played alongside Jadeja in red-ball format,” Kishore said. “It would be a great opportunity to learn from him. I’m confident and ready more than ever.”

Kishore’s comeback has been bolstered by his selection in the Duleep Trophy. He has also represented India in three T20Is at the Asian Games.

Gujarat Titans Spinners Dominate Punjab Kings for Fourth IPL Win

Gujarat Titans Spinners Dominate Punjab Kings for Fourth IPL Win

In a thrilling encounter at Mullanpur, Gujarat Titans emerged victorious over Punjab Kings by three wickets, securing their fourth win in the 2024 IPL. The match was dominated by the spinners, with R Sai Kishore leading the charge for Gujarat with an impressive 4 for 33 in four overs.

Punjab Kings’ batting woes continued as they were dismissed for a below-par 142, exposing their vulnerability against spin. Sai Kishore, Rashid Khan (1/15), and Noor Ahmed (2/20) combined to dismantle the Punjab batting lineup. Liam Livingstone provided some resistance with two wickets in the middle overs, but Harpreet Brar’s expensive spell of 35 runs in four overs proved costly.

Gujarat Titans’ chase was anchored by Shubman Gill (35 off 29) and Sai Sudharsan (31 off 33), but it was Rahul Tewatia’s late cameo of 36 not out off 16 that sealed the victory. Tewatia’s six boundaries in the final overs eased the pressure and guided Gujarat to a comfortable win in 19.1 overs.

The victory propelled Gujarat Titans to the sixth spot in the points table, while Punjab Kings remained rooted at the bottom with their sixth loss in eight matches. Kolkata Knight Riders’ win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru earlier in the day further solidified their position in second place, while RCB languished at the bottom.

Virat Kohli maintained his dominance at the top of the scorers’ chart with 379 runs from eight matches, earning him the Orange Cap. Jasprit Bumrah’s 13 wickets in seven games secured him the Purple Cap.

Tamil Nadu's Ranji Trophy Journey Ends in Semifinal Heartbreak

Tamil Nadu’s Ranji Trophy Journey Ends in Semifinal Heartbreak

Tamil Nadu’s 2023-24 Ranji Trophy campaign ended in disappointment with a crushing innings and 70-run defeat to Mumbai in the semifinals. Despite the setback, the team can take solace in a successful season that saw them break a five-year drought of not qualifying for the knockouts.

Under the leadership of R. Sai Kishore, Tamil Nadu played an aggressive brand of cricket, securing five outright wins from nine games, including three by an innings. They maximized their strength in home conditions, with senior batters piling on the runs and spinners dominating the opposition.

N. Jagadeesan enjoyed his best Ranji season, amassing 816 runs, including a triple and double-hundred. B. Indrajith (767 runs) continued to be a reliable performer, delivering vital knocks under pressure. Vijay Shankar and Pradosh Ranjan Paul also made significant contributions with centuries.

On the bowling front, Sai Kishore emerged as a standout performer, becoming only the third TN bowler to scalp more than 50 wickets in a season. He was ably supported by Ajith Ram (41 wickets) and Sandeep Warrier (24 wickets).

However, Tamil Nadu’s technical frailties were exposed when they played on pitches that favored seamers. They suffered outright defeats in the only two games they played on such surfaces, against Gujarat and Mumbai.

Sai Kishore’s decision to bat first on a green top in the semifinal against Mumbai backfired, leading to a heavy defeat. Post-match comments by coach Sulakshan Kulkarni, who blamed the captain for losing the match at the toss, revealed a schism within the team.

Despite the loss, Tamil Nadu has a solid foundation to build upon. They have shown that they can compete with the best teams in the country, but they need to address their batting issues, particularly on seaming pitches.

Tamil Nadu's Sai Kishore Joins Elite Club with 50 Ranji Wickets

Tamil Nadu’s Sai Kishore Joins Elite Club with 50 Ranji Wickets

Tamil Nadu’s R Sai Kishore has etched his name in the annals of Ranji Trophy history by becoming only the third bowler from his state to claim 50 wickets in a single season. The left-arm spinner achieved this remarkable feat during the semifinal clash against Mumbai at the BKC Ground on Sunday.

Sai Kishore’s exceptional performance came on the back of a sterling five-wicket haul that dismantled the Mumbai middle-order on Day Two of the semifinal encounter. Despite Tamil Nadu enduring a batting collapse on the opening day, Sai Kishore’s inspired bowling performance turned the tide in his team’s favor.

The 27-year-old spinner’s pivotal role in the match was evident from the outset, as he swiftly made inroads into the Mumbai batting lineup. Trapping opener Bhupen Lalwani leg-before, Sai Kishore set the tone for his dominant display with the ball. His relentless pressure continued in the opening session, culminating in the dismissal of night-watchman Mohit Avasthi.

The defining moment of Sai Kishore’s spell arrived when he accounted for the prized wicket of Mumbai skipper Ajinkya Rahane, inducing an outside-edge that was pouched by the slip fielder. Sai Kishore capped off his virtuoso performance by claiming successive scalps in the 48th over, dismissing the well-set Musheer Khan and then dismantling Shams Mulani’s stumps with a vicious delivery that spun sharply.

Sai Kishore’s sensational form in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season has been nothing short of remarkable. With at least four wickets in each of his last four innings, including a stellar nine-wicket haul in the quarterfinal against Saurashtra, the left-arm spinner has emerged as a potent force in Tamil Nadu’s bowling arsenal.

By joining the esteemed company of legendary spinners S Venkataraghavan and Aashish Kapoor, Sai Kishore has solidified his status as one of the premier bowlers in domestic cricket. His 10th First-Class five-for across 39 matches underscores his consistency and impact on the field.

With six four-wicket hauls and three five-fors in the ongoing Ranji season, Sai Kishore’s stellar performances exemplify his unwavering commitment to excellence and his invaluable contributions to Tamil Nadu’s quest for glory in the prestigious tournament.

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