Andhra Pradesh’s star all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy put up a fight with a 90-run knock on Day 5 but it wasn’t enough to save his side from an innings defeat against Bengal in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 quarter-final. Boosted by Sudip Kumar Gharami's record 299, Bengal beat Andhra Pradesh by an innings and 90 runs at Bengal Cricket Academy Ground, Kalyani.
At the end of Day 4, Andhra Pradesh were 64/3. Abhishek Reddy, CR Gnaneshwar and Shaik Rasheed fell cheaply. On Day 5, skipper Ricky Bhui lost his wicket to Shahbaz Ahmed for a 51-ball 30. KV Sasikanth and Saurabh Kumar failed to make a mark as Andhra Pradesh found themselves 96/6 early in the first session.
Nitish and KS Narasimha Raju tried to revive the innings. The partnership was broken by Anustump Majumdar. Raju scored 25 runs from 67 deliveries in the 57-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Nitish got to his half-century from 98 deliveries.
Nitish continued to fight and got support from Tripurna Vijay. In the 72nd over, Shahbaz ended Nitish's stay at the crease. He scored 90 runs from 144 balls, featuring seven fours and a couple of sixes.
In the next over, Vijay hit a six before falling to Sumanta Gupta. He hit two sixes and six fours in his 61-ball 46. Andhra Pradesh were bowled out for 244 in 72.2 overs.
Gharami’s 299-run knock
Earlier, Bengal skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran won the toss and opted to bowl first. Mukesh Kumar claimed a fifer and Akash Deep registered a four-wicket haul as Andhra Pradesh were bowled out for 295 in 88.4 overs. Skipper Ricky Bhui top-scored with 83.
In reply, Bengal lost half the side for 153. But, Gharami rescued Bengal with a phenomenal knock. He got support from Gupta (81) and Shakir Habib Gandhi (95). But, Gharami missed his triple ton by just one run. He became the second batter in first-class history to lose his wicket for 299.
After Gharami's unfortunate dismissal, Mohammed Shami contributed with a quickfire 33-ball 53, taking Bengal's score to 629. They took a 334-run lead.
Ranji Trophy semifinalists confirmed
The semifinals will begin on February 15. Bengal will go up against Jammu & Kashmir. On February 9, Jammu & Kashmir beat Madhya Pradesh by 56 runs.
In the other semifinal, Karnataka will lock horns with Uttarakhand. KL Rahul's century and Smaran Ravichandran's unbeaten 83 led Karnataka to a four-wicket win over 42-time champions Mumbai. Uttarakhand beat Jharkhand by an innings and six runs to make it to the semifinals.