Zubair’s late 75 frustrates Tamil Nadu as Railways post 184 in Ranji Elite Group D at MAC Stadium

Zubair Ali Khan’s counter-attacking 75 late in the innings helped Railways recover to 184 in 53.3 overs against Tamil Nadu at the MAC Stadium on Monday in a Ranji Trophy Elite Group D match, while the hosts reached 71 for three in reply, trailing by 113 runs.

Tamil Nadu’s bowlers produced early breakthroughs under overcast skies, with Sonu Yadav and Sai Kishore among the wicket-takers, but Railways’ No. 8 Zubair and No. 11 Himanshu Sangwan combined for a 61-run last-wicket stand that extended the innings and frustrated the home side for more than 13 overs. Sonu opened the attack and struck early, and at one stage Railways were 123 for nine before Zubair’s late assault shifted momentum in the lower order.

Zubair finished 75 off 121 balls, hitting seven fours and four sixes while managing the strike through the last partnership; Himanshu Sangwan remained unbeaten on 7 from 25 balls with one four. The pair’s 61-run stand prevented a quick finish to Railways’ innings and consumed time late on day one.

Sonu Yadav delivered an intensive first spell, bowling eight consecutive overs and taking three for 13 early on, including the wicket of S. Yuvraj Singh, who was caught at second slip by B. Indrajith. Sonu later trapped Eshaan Goyal and Mohammad Saif in front to add to Tamil Nadu’s early success with the ball.

Railways’ innings featured a costly late recovery rather than sustained middle-order resistance; Ravi Singh’s dismissal shortly before lunch proved significant as he was caught at wide mid-off off J. Hemchudeshan after playing across the line. That wicket left Railways 82 for seven before the lower-order revival.

Sai Kishore finished with three wickets in the innings and figures of 13.3-0-53, while other Tamil Nadu bowlers contributed: Gurjapneet 12-3-27-1, Sonu 11-1-46-3, Ajith Ram 12-3-27-1, and Hemchudeshan 5-0-20-2. Railways’ bowling across Tamil Nadu’s reply included Himanshu 6-1-18-1, Zubair 4-0-11-0, Yuvraj 1-0-7-0, Raj 5-1-16-0, Toufik 7-1-15-2 and Pradhyumn 2-0-4-0.

Railways 1st innings: S. Yuvraj Singh c Indrajith b Sonu 4, Vivek Singh c Hemchudeshan b Sai Kishore 14, Eshaan Goyal lbw b Sonu 0, Mohammad Saif lbw b Sonu 0, Raj Choudhary b Sai Kishore 7, Bhargav Merai c Indrajith b Gurjapneet 17, Ravi Singh c Pradosh b Hemchudeshan 21, Zubair Ali Khan c Vimal b Sai Kishore 75, Toufik Mondal c Indrajith b Hemchudeshan 18, Pradhyumn Parikh c Pradosh b Ajith Ram 9, Himanshu Sangwan (not out) 7; Extras (b-9, lb-2, w-1): 12; Total (in 53.3 overs): 184. Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-7, 3-7, 4-18, 5-33, 6-51, 7-82, 8-102, 9-123.

Tamil Nadu 1st innings: Vimal Khumar b Himanshu 0, N. Jagadeesan b Toufik 30, Pradosh Ranjan Paul c & b Toufik 19, B. Indrajith (batting) 13, Andre Siddarth (batting) 8; Extras (w-1): 1; Total (for three wkts. in 25 overs): 71. Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-44, 3-55.

With Tamil Nadu 71 for three in 25 overs, they trail Railways’ first-innings total by 113 runs.