Railways scripted history in the Ranji Trophy by orchestrating the highest successful chase ever recorded in the tournament’s storied history, culminating their campaign on an exhilarating high note. Despite conceding a first-innings lead to Tripura, Railways engineered a stunning turnaround, defying the odds to emerge victorious in a match that will be remembered for years to come.
After being dismissed for a modest 105 in response to Tripura’s 149 in the first innings, Railways faced an imposing target of 378 runs for victory. Initially, the odds seemed stacked against them as they stumbled to 31 for 3, facing an uphill battle.
However, Mohammad Saif and Pratham Singh orchestrated a remarkable recovery, forging a monumental fourth-innings partnership of 175 runs. Saif’s valiant century, comprising 106 runs, laid the foundation for Railways’ resurgence. Pratham Singh, displaying extraordinary resilience and determination, remained unbeaten on a sublime 169, steering his team towards an improbable victory.
The pivotal partnership was further bolstered by the composed contribution of Upendra Yadav, Railways’ captain, who chipped in with an unbeaten 27 runs. Together, they orchestrated a sensational triumph, surpassing Saurashtra’s previous record for the highest successful chase in Ranji Trophy history.
Despite the historic victory, Railways fell short of securing a spot in the knockout stage, with Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat amassing more points in a fiercely contested table. Nonetheless, Railways’ remarkable feat will be etched in the annals of Ranji Trophy lore, symbolizing the spirit of resilience and tenacity inherent in the sport.
