Bengal edges closer to Ranji Trophy semifinals on the back of Sudip Gharami's monumental innings.
The Ranji Trophy quarterfinals have reached a critical juncture, with Bengal building a formidable lead against Andhra. The highlight of the match has been the outstanding batting performance of Sudip Gharami, whose score of 299 has placed Bengal in a commanding position. This achievement, though falling just short of a triple century, signifies a major stride towards the semifinals for the Bengal team.
Match Overview and Key Events
The Ranji Trophy quarterfinals are underway, featuring Bengal against Andhra. The match has seen significant contributions from both teams, but Bengal's batting, particularly the lengthy innings by Sudip Gharami, has dominated the proceedings. Andhra's bowlers faced a challenging task containing the Bengal batsmen.
Bengal's First Innings: Bengal posted a substantial total of 629 runs.
Sudip Gharami was the star, scoring 299 runs.
Shakir Habib Gandhi also made a significant contribution with 95 runs.
Other notable scores included Sumanta Gupta (81) and Mohammed Shami (53).
Shaik Rasheed was a prominent bowler for Andhra, taking four wickets.
Andhra's Second Innings: Andhra is currently batting and has faced early wickets.
C.R. Gnaneshwar was dismissed for 20.
Abhishek Reddy scored 5.
Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep bowled effectively for Bengal.
Statistical Breakdown
| Team | Innings | Score | Details | Key Contributors | Bowling Highlights (Andhra) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengal | 1st | 629 | Sudip Gharami 299, Shakir Habib Gandhi 95, Sumanta Gupta 81, Mohammed Shami 53 | Sudip Gharami (299) | Shaik Rasheed (4 wickets) |
| Andhra | 2nd | In Progress | C.R. Gnaneshwar 20, Abhishek Reddy 5 | In Progress | Mukesh Kumar (0 wickets for 7), Akash Deep (1 wicket for 7), Jaiswal (1 wicket for 24), Shami (0 wickets for 7), Shahbaz (1 wicket for 11) |
The Gharami Narrative: A Near Miss and a Milestone
Sudip Gharami's innings has been the central story of this quarterfinal. His score of 299 is a remarkable feat, demonstrating exceptional skill and endurance.
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He was dropped on 251, a moment that could have significantly altered the match's trajectory.
His dismissal came from a delivery by Shaik Rasheed that moved inwards.
While the score falls just short of a triple century, it is the highest individual score mentioned in the reports and places Bengal in a dominant position.
Bengal's Path to the Semifinals
With a substantial first-innings lead and Andhra struggling in their second innings, Bengal appears to be in a strong position to advance to the semifinals.
Bengal's bowling attack, featuring experienced players like Mohammed Shami, has shown effectiveness in taking wickets.
The team's batting depth, evidenced by multiple significant scores, suggests a well-rounded performance.
The match's progress indicates that Bengal is "all but through to the semifinals," according to one report.
Andhra's Challenge
Andhra faces an uphill battle to stay in contention. They need to produce a remarkable comeback to overcome Bengal's lead and secure a place in the next round.
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The team's bowlers struggled to contain Bengal's batsmen, particularly Sudip Gharami.
Early wickets in their second innings have compounded their difficulties.
A strong batting performance from the remaining Andhra players is crucial.
Expert Commentary (Implied)
The emphasis on Gharami's 299 and Bengal being "all but through" suggests a widely acknowledged dominant performance. The report that Gharami "misses triple ton by a whisker" from Outlook India highlights the exceptional nature of his innings and the near miss.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Bengal has achieved a commanding position in their Ranji Trophy quarterfinal against Andhra, largely due to Sudip Gharami's stellar innings of 299. This performance has placed Bengal on the brink of qualifying for the semifinals. Andhra faces a significant challenge in overcoming the large deficit and mounting a comeback. The remainder of the match will focus on Andhra's ability to bat effectively and Bengal's capability to close out the game.
Sources
The Hindu: "Ranji Trophy Quarterfinals | Gharami’s spectacular innings ends at 299, Bengal all but through to the semifinals" - https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/ranji-trophy-quarterfinals-gharamis-spectacular-innings-ends-at-299-bengal-all-but-through-to-the-semifinals/article70611011.ece - Published recently, providing immediate match details.
Outlook India: "Ranji Trophy Highlights, Quarter-Finals Day 4: J&K, KAR Through To SFs; Gharami Misses Triple Ton By Whisker" - https://www.outlookindia.com/sports/cricket/ranji-trophy-live-score-india-domestic-2025-26-season-first-class-quarter-finals-day-4-updates-highlights - Published ~11 hours ago, offering a broader match update and highlighting Gharami's near-triple century.
The Telegraph: "Ranji Trophy quarters | Sudip Gharami double ton drives Bengal dominance over Andhra" - https://www.telegraphindia.com/sports/cricket/ranji-trophy-quarters-sudip-gharami-double-ton-drives-bengal-dominance-over-andhra-prnt/cid/2146481 - Published ~10 hours ago, focusing on Gharami's double century and Bengal's command.
Firstpost: "Bengal's Sudip Gharami creates unwanted record after getting out on 299 in Ranji Trophy quarterfinals" - https://www.firstpost.com/firstcricket/sudip-gharami-bengal-vs-andhra-pradesh-ranji-trophy-quarterfinal-13977923.html - Published ~47 minutes ago, mentioning an "unwanted record" associated with his score.
BCCI.tv: "RANJI TROPHY | Fixtures, Results, Videos, Stats & Teams" - https://www.bcci.tv/domestic/226/ranji-trophy - A general link to official tournament information.
Crictracker: "Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Quarter Finals, Day 4 Review" - https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-reviews/ranji-trophy-2024-25-quarter-finals-day-4-review/ - Provides context on other quarterfinal matches and player performances.
Business-Standard: "Ranji Trophy quarter-final full schedule, match timings and live streaming" - https://www.business-standard.com/cricket/news/ranji-trophy-quarter-final-full-schedule-match-timings-and-live-streaming-1250207018731.html - Offers scheduling and qualification context for the quarterfinals.
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