India's forgotten all-rounder takes 4/30, leads Tripura to 67-run win over Rajasthan

India’s out-of-favour all-rounder Vijay Shankar claimed a match-winning four-wicket haul to lead Tripura to a 67-run win over Rajasthan in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. Manav Suthar-led Rajasthan failed in the run chase of 287 and were bowled out for 220 in 44.2 overs. Rajasthan are yet to win a game this season.

Tripura post a fighting total

Tripura skipper Manisakar MuraSingh on the toss and opted to bat first at ADSA Railways Cricket Ground, Ahmedabad. Openers Tejasvi Jaiswal and Udiyan Bose shared a partnership of 98 runs. Pace-bowling sensation Ashok Sharma broke the partnership with Bose's wicket. He scored 40 runs from 62 balls. Tejasvi Jaiswal scored 77 runs from 61 balls before falling to Aniket Choudhary. In the next over, Shankar was dismissed for just one over by left-arm spinner Suthar.

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Sridam Paul and Rajat Dey got the score past 200. Kukna Ajay Singh broke the fourth-wicket partnership with Paul's wicket. He scored 50 runs from 61 balls. Rajat Dey missed his fifty as Ashok got his wicket. Dey scored 42 runs from 21 balls. Khaleel Ahmed and Choudhary struck twice in the slog overs. Rajasthan took a team hat-trick as Tripura were bowled out for 286 with a ball to go. Skipper Murasingh (23-ball 25) and Sentu Sarkar (unbeaten 15-ball 20) contributed with cameos.

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Shankar, Murasingh cause a collapse

Rajasthan lost their first wicket in the seventh over. Murasingh dismissed Manender Narender Singh for a 24-ball 14. Rajasthan batters could not score freely. Parvez Sultan ended Sumit Godara's stay at the crease. The opener scored 37 runs from 56 balls. Karan Lamba tried to anchor the run chase. Deepak Hooda was rotating the strike but he got run out for a run-a-ball 30 by Sultan.

In the 32nd over, Lamba was knocked over by Viki Saha. He scored 61 runs from 73 balls, including four fours and a six. When he departed, Rajasthan were 159/4. Then, Shankar got into the act and dismissed Choudhary for a single-digit score. Shankar got the crucial wicket of Mahipal Lomror as well. Murasingh struck twice with the old ball, dismissing Sharma and Ajay Singh. Shankar ruled out a chance of Rajasthan's comeback with the wicket of skipper Suthar and Ahmed. Shankar bowled 7.2 overs including one maiden, conceded 30 runs and bagged four wickets. Murasingh was clinical as well, taking three wickets for 30 runs in eight overs.