A 175-run partnership between Prithvi Shaw and Mohammad Saif of Railways is threatening to shatter Tripura’s dream of a straight victory unless bowlers of the State team can deliver on the final day of their Ranji Trophy match against Railways on Monday.
The home team needs to take six wickets to win the match and end their season on a high while the Railways need 108 runs to win.
Railways are currently nicely poised, having scored 270 for 4 in their second innings at the MBB Stadium in Agartala. They need another 108 runs to win with six wickets in hand.
Tripura had started the day on a positive note, adding 47 runs to their overnight score of 286 for 9. Abhijit Sarkar (48) and Rana Dutta (47*) were the main contributors for the home team.
However, Railways openers Prithvi Shaw (113*) and Mohammad Saif (106) put on a 175-run partnership to put their team in a strong position.
Saif was eventually dismissed by Bikram Debnath, but Shaw continued to bat on and took Railways close to victory.
At the close of play on Day 3, Railways were 69 overs for 4, with Arindam Ghosh (17*) also unbeaten at the crease.
Manishankar Murasingh (2/41), Bikram Debnath (1/36), and Rana Dutta (1/56) were the wicket-takers for Tripura.
The match is evenly poised heading into the final day, and it will be interesting to see if Tripura can pull off a victory – the bowlers of the State team will be under focus tomorrow.
Brief scores:
Tripura: 149 & 333 (Abhijit Sarkar 48, Rana Dutta 47*; Himanshu Sangayan 4/55, Yuvraj Singh 4/97)
Railways: 105 & 270/4 (Prithvi Shaw 113*, Mohammad Saif 106; Manishankar Murasingh 2/41, Bikram Debnath 1/36)