Railways on Monday, February 19 created history by registering the highest successful run chase in the Ranji Trophy. They picked up a comfortable five-wicket victory over Tripura in their final league game of the season at Maharaja Bir Bikram College Stadium in Agartala.
Batting first, Tripura were bundled out for 149 runs. However, their bowlers did a phenomenal job, helping the team take a lead of 44 runs. In the second innings, Tripura put up a show with the bat, registering 333 runs, and setting a target of 378 runs. What followed was a batting masterclass as Railways stunned Tripura to pick up the win.
Their start to the chase however wasn’t mighty. The visitors were reduced to 31/3 and looked to be in deep trouble. However, opener Pratham Singh proved to be the difference as the 31-year-old made 169* runs in the middle. Mohammad Saif supported him well, by hitting 106 runs and after he got out, Arindam Ghosh played a brilliant cameo of 40 runs. Courtesy of their effort, Railways chased down 378 runs and inscribed their names in history books.
Tripura would be disappointed with their effort. At 31/3, they were in firm control of the match but failed to pick up the wickets of Pratham and Saif, who went on to snatch the game away from their reach.
Notably, Saurashtra previously held the record for the highest successful run chase in Ranji Trophy history. In the 2019-20 season, they chased down 372 against Uttar Pradesh to own the record, which Assam previously held.
Meanwhile, despite a historic win, Railways failed to qualify for the knockouts of the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024. They have 24 points to their name after seven matches. Tamil Nadu are currently at the top of the Ranji Trophy Elite Three points table, with Gujarat and Karnataka just below them.
Histest successful run-chase in Ranji Trophy history:
Run | Team | Against | Edition |
378/5 | Railways | Tripura | 2024 |
372/4 | Saurashtra | Uttar Pradesh | 2019-20 |
371/4 | Assam | Services | 2008-09 |
360/4 | Rajasthan | Vidarbha | 1989-90 |
359/4 | Uttar Pradesh | Maharashtra | 2021-22 |