The Ranji Trophy 2026-27 showcased contrasting performances on its third day, with Tamil Nadu decisively defeating Uttarakhand by an innings and 66 runs in Chennai, while Maharashtra built a significant first-innings lead against Jharkhand in Pune.
In Chennai, Tamil Nadu’s captain, Sai Kishore, made headlines with a hat-trick, leading his team to victory after they bowled out Uttarakhand for 134 and 113 runs in their respective innings. Kishore claimed 10 wickets in the match, while teammate Gurjapneet Singh contributed significantly with figures of 4 for 34. Tamil Nadu’s batting was anchored by Pradosh Ranjan Paul, who scored 136 runs off 279 balls, and Baba Indrajith, who added 77 runs. Tamil Nadu set a total of 313 runs before dismissing Uttarakhand for a second time, ensuring the game ended on the third day.
Meanwhile, in Pune, Maharashtra’s Ruturaj Gaikwad returned to the squad after participating in the India A series against Australia. He scored an unbeaten century while batting at number seven, not his usual position. Gaikwad’s century marked the tenth first-class hundred of his career, featuring six fours and a six.
Maharashtra established a formidable position after bowling out Jharkhand for 169 runs in 58.2 overs. Ankit Bawne also played a crucial role, reaching 120 runs off 253 balls. After Prithvi Shaw’s dismissal for 21 runs, Gaikwad joined Bawne, contributing to a partnership that saw Maharashtra extend their lead significantly.
Sai Kishore’s hat-trick occurred during Uttarakhand’s second innings when he claimed three wickets in consecutive deliveries, dismissing Lakshya Raichandani, Saurabh Rawat, and Aditya Rawat. The match concluded swiftly after lunch, highlighting Tamil Nadu’s dominance over Uttarakhand.
As the tournament progresses, attention will now shift to upcoming matches, where both Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra will aim to maintain their impressive performances.
