Jharkhand batters showed no mercy against a listless Nagaland attack as they continued their run fest on Day III by notching up 880 — the fourth-highest team total in Ranji Trophy — here on Monday.
Resuming on 769/9 with Shahbaz Nadeem unbeaten on 123 and No. 11 Rahul Shukla on 29, there was no declaration coming as Jharkhand’s last pair added 191 runs (from 323 balls) before being bowled out in 203.4 overs.
The last partnership was also the highest in the entire innings as they made full use of the flat batting conditions and a below-par attack.
Defending their strategy, Jharkhand batting coach Satish Singh termed it a “dead surface” at the Eden and said his side gave their lower-order batting practice ahead of their potential quarter final clash against Bengal.
Left-arm spinner Imliwati Lemtur (4/179) finally broke the partnership when Nadeem tried a reverse sweep to be trapped lbw. In reply, Nagaland were 130/4 as Jharkhand put one foot in the Ranji Trophy quarter final.
Brief scores: Jharkhand 880 all out in 203.4 overs (Kumar Kushagra 266, Shahbaz Nadeem 177, Virat Singh 107; Imliwati Lemtur 4/179). Nagaland 130/4 in 58 overs (Chetan Bist 46 n.o., S. Mundhe 39). At stumps, Day III.
