Tamil Nadu crush Saurashtra to book Ranji Trophy semi-final spot

In a recent turn of events, Tamil Nadu emerged victorious against the favourites, Saurashtra, in the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 quarter-final clash in Coimbatore. The home team's exceptional performance, spearheaded by Sai Kishore, saw them clinch the match by an innings and 33 runs.

Tamil Nadu's dominance was evident as they bowled out the defending champions for a mere 122 runs in their second innings, following a substantial 155-run lead in the first. Captain Sai Kishore, the star of the show, showcased his all-round brilliance by claiming nine wickets in the match, including a crucial four in the second innings. His contribution extended beyond the ball, as he also scored a valuable 60 runs in the first innings, aiding his team in posting a formidable 338 in response to Saurashtra's 183.

Seamer Sandeep Warrier and spinner Ajith Ram played pivotal roles in supporting Sai Kishore, each taking five wickets in the match. The batting prowess of Baba Indrajith and Boopathi Kumar, who scored 80 and 65, respectively, in Tamil Nadu's first innings, further fortified their position.

This victory marked Tamil Nadu's entry into the semi-finals for the first time since the 2016/17 season. The upcoming challenge for them in the semi-final will be determined by the outcome of the clash between Mumbai and Baroda. If Mumbai emerge victorious, Tamil Nadu will embark on a journey to Mumbai for the semi-final showdown. However, if Baroda triumphs, the semi-final clash will unfold on Tamil Nadu's home turf in Coimbatore.

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Gritty Cheteshwar Pujara crosses 800 runs in single Ranji Trophy season

In a parallel narrative of resilience and skill, veteran Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara surpassed the 800-run milestone in a single Ranji Trophy season during the same match. This remarkable achievement, the third of Pujara's career, comes after a hiatus since the 2008-09 campaign. Despite being out of the Indian team since the 2023 World Test Championship Final, Pujara has showcased consistent brilliance in the 2024 Ranji campaign.