Jharkhand beat Nagaland to advance to the Quarter Finals of the Ranji Trophy by 1008 runs total lead Jharkhand set in its two innings.
The Ranji Trophy pre-quarter finals saw a ludicrous and unequal five day match from 12-16 March between Jharkhand and Nagaland in the Eden Gardens. Jharkhand set a total lead of 1008 runs after their five day and two innings prowess over a helpless Nagaland.
Jharkhand’s 1008 run lead is the highest total in the history of national first class cricket. In the preamble to the laws of cricket, the ‘Spirit of Cricket’ is mentioned; cricket should not only be played within the laws but also within the spirit of the game.
The team Jharkhand effectively played within the rules, but the way they crushed their opponents, Nagaland in the five day match puts a question mark after the term ‘Spirit of Cricket’. In the first innings Jharkhand scored a massive total of 880 runs whereas the Nagaland players were able to score 289 runs.
Jharkhand had well and truly put an end to any competition from the opposition after securing a massive lead of 591 runs after the first innings. But a Ranji Trophy quarter final being a five-day match affair, the humiliation Nagaland was extended some more.
Jharkhand’s second innings lasted till the end of day 5. They scored 417 runs for the fall of six wickets which totalled to achieve the outstanding 1008 run lead. Jharkhand did not opt for a follow-on and tail-enders took their opportunity to add some more runs to Nagaland’s humiliating loss.
The Jharkhand coach, SS Rao defended the entire team and their approach towards Nagaland. He said that making a record was never the aim; the wicket being flat, they just gave the part-time batters an opportunity to play without any pressure. The Mumbai Indians reserve Anukul Roy went out to grab a 153 of his own in the second innings of Jharkhand.
The CAB pitch curator Sujan Mukherje defended the Eden Gardens’ pitch saying that Nagaland is at fault for their defeat with their poor fielding and incompetent bowling action. The match will be added to the book of cricket records but after the game, the “Spirit of Cricket” remains up for debate.
Published By: Apoorva Wakodikar
Edited By: Subbuthai Padma
