Ranji Trophy: Pradosh, Ajith Ram steer Tamil Nadu to 571 in Chandigarh

Pradosh Ranjan Paul and Ajith Ram produced big scores as Tamil Nadu reached 571 for seven at the Sector-16 Ground in Chandigarh in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group D match on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Pradosh compiled his second First Class double hundred (208, 335b, 14x4) while Ajith Ram recorded a maiden First Class century (115 n.o., 219b, 10x4). The pair shared a commanding stand that propelled Tamil Nadu to their substantial first-innings total.

The morning session began with overnight batter G. Ajitesh departing in the second over when medium-pacer Rohit Dhanda breached his defence. After that breakthrough Pradosh and Ajith Ram settled in, adopting a patient approach before accelerating, using square drives, crisp cover drives and pulls when the bowling allowed.

Pradosh reached his double century with a flick off a fuller-length delivery towards square-leg and celebrated with a roar before being castled by Chiragvir Dhindsa. Ajith Ram then expanded his scoring alongside skipper Sai Kishore, brought up his three-figure mark with a boundary and yelled in delight; Sai Kishore contributed a late cameo of 36 n.o. (35b, 2x4, 3x6).

Tamil Nadu — 1st innings: Vimal Khumar c Arjit b Nikhil 11, N. Jagadeesan b Bhagmender 52, Pradosh Ranjan Paul b Chiragvir 208, B. Indrajith c & b Nishunk 51, Andre Siddarth c & b Bhagmender 13, G. Ajitesh b Rohit 34, Ajith Ram (not out) 115, Sonu Yadav lbw b Chiragvir 27, Sai Kishore (not out) 36; Extras (b-8, lb-7, w-5, nb-4): 24; Total (for seven wkts. decl. in 154 overs): 571. Fall of wickets: 1-38, 2-92, 3-231, 4-254, 5-322, 6-448, 7-504.

Chandigarh bowling: Jagjit 21-5-61-0, Nikhil 15-1-42-1, Rohit 26-3-97-1, Nishunk 29-1-122-1, Bhagmender 28-2-102-2, Chiragvir 30-0-112-2, Arjun 5-0-20-0.

Chandigarh replied and were 49 for three in 20 overs at the close, trailing by 522 runs. Chandigarh — 1st innings: Nehal Pajni b Gurjapneet 8, Arjun Azad lbw b Sai Kishore 21, Manan Vohra b Sai Kishore 15, Arjit Pannu (batting) 3, Akshit Rana (batting) 1; Extras (lb-1): 1; Total (for three wkts. in 20 overs): 49. Fall of wickets: 1-28, 2-34, 3-48. Tamil Nadu bowling: Gurjapneet 7-2-16-1, Saravana Kumar 3-0-14-0, Sai Kishore 7-3-14-2, Ajith Ram 3-1-4-0.