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The Ranji Trophy 2025-26 delivered an unprecedented spectacle as Assam and Services clashed in what became the shortest completed match in the tournament’s history – wrapping up in just 90 overs. The two-day encounter at the Tinsukia District Sports Association Ground, Kachujan, witnessed dramatic collapses, two hat-tricks in a single innings and 32 wickets falling in breathtaking succession.
Historic collapse as Services triumph by eight wickets
Services clinched a commanding eight-wicket victory after dismantling Assam twice inside two days. Assam’s batting lineup endured a nightmare in their first innings, skittled out for just 103 runs in 17.2 overs. The destruction was spearheaded by Arjun Sharma (5/46) and Mohit Jangra (3/5), both of whom achieved hat-tricks in the same innings – a feat never before witnessed in Ranji Trophy or first-class cricket history.
Assam opener Pradyun Saikia fought briefly with a counter-attacking 52 off 42 balls, while Riyan Parag added a brisk 36, but the rest of the batting lineup folded meekly. Services responded with a modest 108 all out, as Riyan Parag delivered a career-best 5/25, complemented by Rahul Singh’s 4/44, keeping Assam marginally in the contest.
Assam’s batting woes continue in second innings
Assam’s second innings offered no respite, as they collapsed again for 75 runs in 29.3 overs. Their batting unit crumbled under relentless pressure, with four players registering ducks and only three reaching double digits. Arjun Sharma continued his dream match, claiming 4/20, while the rest of the Services attack maintained tight discipline.
Chasing just 71 runs for victory on the second morning, Services sealed the match in 13.5 overs, finishing at 72/2, with Riyan Parag picking up both wickets. The one-sided result capped a record-breaking, whirlwind contest that defied conventional first-class expectations.
Also READ: Riyan Parag shares how a special interaction with Virat Kohli inspired his journey
A record-breaking encounter in Indian cricket history
The Tinsukia fixture officially became the shortest completed match in Ranji Trophy history, surpassing the previous record of 547 balls set in a 1962 encounter between Delhi and Railways. The game’s 540-ball duration also places it among the shortest matches in global first-class cricket, behind only the 2004-05 Faisalabad vs Karachi Blues clash (85 balls after forfeiture) and the 1851 Tasmania vs Victoria match (352 balls).
The extraordinary contest also broke a 91-year-old Ranji milestone, overtaking the 1934 Madras vs Mysore fixture, which lasted 100.5 overs. With 25 wickets falling on Day 1 and the remaining seven on the second morning, the pace of play left players, umpires and fans stunned.
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