Railways enter Ranji Trophy final
Riding on a 232-run first innings lead, Railways entered the final of the Ranji Trophy cricket championship after their semi-final against Bengal ended in a tame draw in Delhi on Sunday.
Railways take on defending champions Baroda, who had beaten Punjab in the other semi-final.
Railways, who had narrowly lost to Baroda in last year's final, followed up their mammoth first innings score of 557, with a solid 380 for three in their second innings before declaring in the fifth mandatory over after Raja Ali completed a well-deserved century.
Bengal, who could manage only 325 in their first essay, did not come out to bat. They were left ruing lost chances on a wicket which provided little assistance to the bowlers but which was hardly an excuse, as Railways outplayed them in all departments of the game.
Playing in their backyard, at the Karnail Singh stadium, Railways' batsmen - Tejinder Pal Singh (100 in the first innings) and Raja Ali (100 not out in the second) used the opportunity to show off their batting prowess. Opener Amit Pagnis also did well but was unfortunate to miss his century in the second innings by just two runs.
Railways coach Vinod Sharma said he was satisfied with the way the match went and brushed aside criticism of the team's strategy of not going for an outright win.
"The strategy doesn't matter as long we have achieved our target - that of reaching the final," Sharma said.
He also defended the decision of not enforcing the follow-on on Bengal, saying, "Our bowlers were very tired after playing three matches in a row. We needed to give them rest for the crucial match ahead.
"Also, it gave an opportunity to our batsmen to get among the runs. Yere Goud, Raja Ali and Pagnis got their form before the final and that is something which is very important for us.
The coach said the team is looking forward to the finals and would not repeat the mistakes they made last year.
He denied the wicket in Delhi was tailor-made for batsmen and hardly had anything for the bowlers.
"Quality seamers and spinners have got good results on this wicket and we will persist with this pitch for the final too.
Earlier, Railways resumed at 135 for one, and Tejinderpa Singh was the first overnight batsman to be dismissed, when he was caught by Utpal Chatterjee off Sourashish Lahiri for 33.
Pagnis, overnight 59, also succumbed to the same pair, out for 98 (238b, 6x4).
The good work by Pagnis was carried on by Goud and Ali who on an unbeaten 144-run stand, with the latter reaching his ton off just 145 balls including three huge sixes and nine fours.
Mail Cricket Editor
