Ranji Trophy | Rearguard effort helps Chhattisgarh denies Hyderabad a win

Chhattisgarh's resilient partnership earns a draw against Hyderabad in a thrilling Ranji Trophy match at Gymkhana Ground.

Resilience defined the final day of the Elite Group-D Ranji Trophy encounter at the Gymkhana Ground here on Sunday, as Chhattisgarh withstood sustained pressure to deny Hyderabad a victory and force a draw.

Trailing by 248 runs and with eight wickets in hand, the visitor began the fourth day —cautiously. Anuj Tiwari and Amandeep Khare put a premium on survival, adding just 59 runs in the first 20 overs.

Hyderabad came close to a breakthrough when Aniketh Reddy induced an edge off Anuj’s bat, only for the ball to drop inches beyond wicketkeeper Pragnay Reddy’s outstretched gloves. Undeterred, Aniketh persisted with his probing line and length and was rewarded a few deliveries later, as Abhirath Reddy pouched a sharp catch at leg slip to end Anuj’s stay.

With the pitch offering some turn, skipper Mohammed Siraj deployed spinners Aniketh and Tanay Thyagarajann from both ends – a move that paid immediate dividends. By lunch, Chhattisgarh had lost four more wickets.

The slide continued after the break, Aditya Sarwate departing two overs into the afternoon after Rahul Singh held on safely at second slip.

Hyderabad’s confidence surged. Holding a 130-run lead and needing only two more wickets, a decisive result appeared only a matter of time. Amandeep and Dev Aditya Singh, however, had other ideas.