Uttarakhand secured a dominant place in the Ranji Trophy 2025-2026 semifinals after delivering a clinical all-round performance to defeat Jharkhand by an innings. The match concluded on Day 3, as Uttarakhand's bowling attack proved too potent for the opposition to handle, ensuring a comprehensive victory and a surge of momentum heading into the knockout stage.
Uttarakhand make first-ever Ranji Trophy semifinal
The victory was spearheaded by the lethal combination of pace and spin. Veteran left-arm spinner Mayank Mishra delivered a mesmerizing spell, dismantling the Jharkhand order with exceptional figures of 5/22. He was perfectly complemented by Abhay Negi, whose relentless pace earned him 4/36. Together, they decimated the Jharkhand lineup for a meager 130 runs, sealing an emphatic triumph by an innings and six runs.
Uttarakhand firmly established their dominance on Day 3, resuming from an overnight score of 282/5 and grinding their way to a total of 371. This disciplined batting effort, which lasted over 122 overs, allowed them to secure a substantial 136-run first-innings lead. Late-order contributor Abhay Negi played a pivotal role with the bat as well, scoring a valuable 46 to ensure Jharkhand faced a daunting task to save the match.
Jharkhand's batting struggle
The Jharkhand response mirrored their first-innings struggles, where top talents like Kumar Kushagra and captain Virat Singh had failed to anchor a competitive total. Their second innings began in a self-destructive fashion as Abhay Negi struck twice early on, removing both openers for single-digit scores. This early collapse left the side reeling at 14/2 by just the fourth over, setting a grim tone for the remainder of the day.
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