Ranji Trophy 2026-27: Tamil Nadu closes in on innings victory after asking Chandigarh to follow on

Tamil Nadu bowler S. Ajith Ram celebrates the dismissal of Arjit Pannu on the third day of a Ranji Trophy match against Chandigarh. | Photo Credit: RV MOORTHY

Just before taking the field on Wednesday, the entire Tamil Nadu unit, including the support staff, gathered in a huddle. Head coach Yo Mahesh yelled: “What do we have?” The players roared: “Freedom!”

“How do we do it?” came the next question. “Together!” the group cheered.

Those two words — freedom and togetherness — dictated the third day’s play as TN tightened its grip on its Ranji Trophy Elite Group D fourth-round clash against Chandigarh at the Sector-16 Ground.

The visitor needed just 17.3 overs in the morning session to dismiss the host for 94 in its first innings.

Following on, Chandigarh reached 189 for seven at stumps, still trailing by 288 runs and staring at an innings defeat.

The host began its second essay with greater composure. Openers Nehal Pajni and Arjun Azad (60, 90b, 8x4, 1x6) rotated the strike and took the score past 50 before skipper R. Sai Kishore broke the 73-run stand thanks to a stunning effort at forward short-leg by G. Ajitesh just before lunch.

READ: Services’ Mohit Ahlawat hits maiden Ranji ton against old team Delhi

With the surface easing out in the afternoon, Manan Vohra (59, 72b, 11x4) and Arjun looked assured, adding 82 for the second wicket. However, a moment of madness changed the course of the innings. Arjun danced down the track to left-arm spinner S. Ajith Ram, only to be stumped, opening the gates for the visitor.

The wickets then came in a hurry. Saravana Kumar trapped Manan in front, while Ajith removed Akshit Rana and Bhagmender Lather. Sai Kishore dismissed Chiragvir Dhindsa before Ajith ended Arjit Pannu’s stubborn 57-ball, nine-run resistance.

Earlier, with the festivities just around the corner, the procession began in the second over of the morning, with medium-pacer Sonu Yadav leading the way.

He flattened overnight batter Arjit’s stumps with a full-length delivery before sending Bhagmender’s timber cartwheeling.

Chiragvir then departed following a needless run-out before Sonu disturbed Nikhil Sharma’s furniture as Chandigarh slipped to 76 for seven.

Saravana Kumar dismissed Akshit Rana and sent Jagjit Singh’s stumps for a morning walk. Fittingly, Sonu returned to end the host’s misery, dismissing Nishunk Birla.

THE SCORES

Tamil Nadu – 1st innings: 571 for seven decl.

Chandigarh – 1st innings: Nehal Pajni b Gurjapneet 8, Arjun Azad lbw b Sai Kishore 21, Manan Vohra b Sai Kishore 15, Arjit Pannu b Sonu 3, Akshit Rana c Jagadeesan b Saravana Kumar 12, Bhagmender Lather b Sonu 1, Chiragvir Dhindsa run out 14, Nikhil Sharma b Sonu 0, Nishunk Birla c Vimal b Sonu 14, Jagjit Sandhu b Saravana Kumar 0, Rohit Dhanda (not out) 0; Extras (b-4, lb-2): 6; Total (in 37.3 overs): 94.

Fall of wickets: 1-28, 2-34, 3-48, 4-49, 5-51, 6-76, 7-76, 8-88, 9-90.

Tamil Nadu bowling: Gurjapneet 11-3-31-1, Saravana Kumar 8-1-21-2, Sai Kishore 7-3-14-2, Ajith Ram 3-1-4-0, Sonu 8.3-4-18-4.

Chandigarh – 2nd innings: Nehal Pajni c Ajitesh b Sai Kishore 26, Arjun Azad st. Jagadeesan b Ajith Ram 60, Manan Vohra lbw b Saravana Kumar 59, Arjit Pannu c & b Ajith 9, Akshit Rana lbw b Ajith 13, Bhagmender Lather c Indrajith b Ajith 0, Chiragvir Dhindsa c Ajitesh b Sai Kishore 1, Nikhil Sharma (batting) 13, Rohit Dhanda (batting) 1; Extras (b-2, lb-3, w-1, nb-1): 7; Total (for seven wkts. in 57 overs): 189.

Fall of wickets: 1-73, 2-122, 3-155, 4-174, 5-174, 6-175, 7-185.

Tamil Nadu bowling: Gurjapneet 10-1-44-0, Saravana Kumar 11-2-34-1, Sai Kishore 11-1-41-2, Sonu 8-3-28-0, Ajith Ram 16-5-32-4, Pradosh 1-0-5-0.