Ranji Match: Tripura eyeing lead against Baroda after Sarkar's Fifer, 148-run opening partnership
In a thrilling face-off, Tripura's Senior cricket team mounted a strong response against the group leader, Baroda, proving they are no longer the underdogs in the four-day Ranji Trophy match at the MBB Stadium on Thursday. With an eye on the lead, the Tripura team has set themselves on a promising path, though Day 3 will be crucial for their ambitions.
After Abhijit Sarkar’s fifer and Manishankar Murasing’s 3-wicket haul restricted Baroda to 235, Tripura’s opening pair Bikram Kumar Das and Jiwanjot Singh shone with bat a stitched a 148-run partnership on Day 2. Unfortunately, Das missed his well-deserved century by 3 runs.
The State team will focus to secure a sizable lead in the first innings on the third day and press for victory on the final day. The foundation has been laid by the impressive efforts of Bikram Kumar Das and Jiwanjot Singh, and the rest of the lineup now needs to build on their momentum in this Ranji Trophy clash.
At the MBB Stadium, in reply to Baroda’s total of 235, Tripura reached 192 for 1 by stumps on the second day. Bikram Kumar Das shone with a stellar 97 while Jiwanjot Singh remains unbeaten on 58. Tejasvi Jaiswal is batting on 34 runs.
Tripura now trail by just 43 runs and, with another hour of solid batting on Friday morning, they are well-positioned to take the lead.
On Day 1, Baroda resumed play at 157 for 4. Captain Krunal Pandya was dismissed early for 27, but Mitesh Patel and Atit Sheth held firm, cautiously building Baroda’s innings. Their partnership, however, was eventually broken by the relentless attacks of Abhijit Sarkar and Manishankar Murasingh, who dismantled the Baroda lineup. Murasing claimed the wickets of both Sheth and Patel.
Sheth’s 78 off 136 balls (including 8 fours and 1 six) and Mitesh’s 49 off 90 balls (with 6 fours and 1 six) gave Baroda a fighting chance, but after their departure, Baroda’s innings quickly collapsed, leaving them all out for 235 in 82.2 overs. Abhijit Sarkar led the bowling efforts for Tripura with an impressive 5 for 74, while Manishankar Murasingh claimed 3 for 46.
In response, Tripura’s opening pair, Bikram Kumar Das and Jiwanjot Singh, launched a commanding start, blunting Baroda’s attacks with solid technique and patience. Bikram, in an aggressive stance, crafted 97 off 129 balls, studded with 14 fours, only to fall just three runs short of his century. His partnership with Jiwanjot, who had scored a century in the previous match, gave Tripura a solid base with 148 runs off 240 balls.
Following Bikram’s departure, Tejasvi Jaiswal joined Jiwanjot, adding 34 off 42 balls, including 5 fours and a six, as Tripura ended Day 2 comfortably placed at 192 for 1 after 51 overs. Jiwanjot remains steady on 58 off 136 balls with two boundaries, while Baroda’s Bhargav Bhatt claimed the lone wicket of the innings.
As Tripura heads into Day 3, their strategy will be crucial: they must consolidate their position, secure a strong lead, and set their sights firmly on victory.
(Tripura, Northeast)
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