Ranji Trophy Round Six, Day 3 Action and Upsets

Day three of the sixth round of the Ranji Trophy saw thrilling contests, unexpected victories, and individual brilliance on display. Here is a detailed overview of the most important matches played on the third day and their outcomes.

Jammu & Kashmir Wins Over Mumbai After 11 Years

Jammu & Kashmir stunned Mumbai with a remarkable five-wicket victory, marking their first win against the cricketing giants in over a decade. Chasing a modest target of 205, the team faced challenges as Shams Mulani claimed four wickets for Mumbai. However, contributions from the top order proved decisive. Shubham Khajuria's 45 provided a solid foundation, while Abid Mushtaq's crucial unbeaten 32 sealed the win. This win sees J&K rise sharply in hopes of qualifying to the knockouts.

Shubman Gill's Century in Vain as Punjab Falls

Shubman Gill's 102 was a class apart, but it wasn't enough for Punjab to salvage a heavy defeat from Karnataka. Punjab, after posting a miserable first-innings score of 55, could only score 213 on the second day, which also resulted in a defeat by an innings and 207 runs. The lone bright spot in Gill's effort was second highest contribution coming from the top seven, from Anmolpreet Singh, who managed 14. Karnataka's young all-rounder Yashovardhan Parantap played a huge role, with 3 for 37 that sealed a comfortable win for his side.

Madhya Pradesh overpower Kerala with Patidar and Iyer

Madhya Pradesh set themselves up for an outright win against Kerala by declaring at 369 for 8 in their second innings. Rajat Patidar's steady 92 and Venkatesh Iyer's explosive 80 off just 70 balls helped MP recover from a precarious 247 for 6. Kerala faced a daunting target of 363 and had already lost one wicket by stumps, leaving MP in a commanding position.

Vijay Shankar's Century Boosts Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu, however, cashed in on Vijay Shankar's scintillating 150 not out to better their position against Chandigarh in Salem. This was Shankar's second century of the season and his 14th in first-class cricket. Earlier, N Jagadeesan's 89 laid a solid foundation for Tamil Nadu, who extended their lead to 290. Chandigarh faltered in their chase, ending the day at 113 for 5. Tamil Nadu's spinners, S Ajith Ram and R Sai Kishore, each claimed two wickets, setting the stage for a possible six-point victory.

Ruturaj Gaikwad Shines for Maharashtra

Maharashtra's skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad continued to impress, scoring 89 in the second innings to extend their lead over Baroda to a massive 616 runs. Playing at No. 4 to adapt as a versatile top-order batter, Gaikwad showcased his temperament in a marathon innings. With Maharashtra out of knockout contention, their decision to push for an outright victory remains uncertain as they approach the final day.

Vidarbha's Akshay Wadkar Revives Hope

A captain's knock of 102, not out rescued his team from a precarious situation with skipper Akshay Wadkar leading his side. Vidarbha were at 44 for 5 in their second innings while trailing by 100 runs from the first innings and this gritty effort ensured they ended the day with 258 runs and three wickets in hand to better their chances at qualifying for the knockout stages.

Haryana Seal Knockout Spot with Convincing Win

Haryana booked their place in the knockouts with a dominating performance against Bengal. After a closely fought first innings, Haryana's second-innings batting display, led by half-centuries from Himanshu Rana and Nishant Sindhu, ensured a 369-run target. Bengal, missing key player Abhimanyu Easwaran due to injury, collapsed to 85 all out in 21.4 overs. Wriddhiman Saha's unbeaten 25 was the only resistance. Anshul Kamboj, who had achieved a rare ten-wicket haul in the season earlier, claimed four wickets in the final innings.

Key Performers and Notable Moments

Shubham Khajuria (J&K): His 45 helped to steady the chase against Mumbai and provided a foundation for a historic win.

Shubman Gill (Punjab): A classy 102 showcased his adaptability in red-ball cricket as Punjab suffered a heavy loss.

Venkatesh Iyer (MP): A quickfire 80 displayed his aggressive approach, crucial in putting pressure on Kerala.

Vijay Shankar (Tamil Nadu): His unbeaten 150 demonstrated remarkable composure and determination.

Ruturaj Gaikwad (Maharashtra): His adaptability at No. 4 showcased his versatility as a batsman.

Akshay Wadkar (Vidarbha): A captain's knock under pressure proved his mettle.

The third day of this round has reaffirmed the competitive spirit of the Ranji Trophy where underdogs marked their presence, and experienced players delivered when it mattered most. As the tournament progresses, such performances will heavily impact team standings and individual careers.