Rajasthan retains Ranji Trophy title

By virtue of first-innings lead, Rajasthan has retained the Ranji Trophy title. It was just formalities to be completed on the fifth and final day for Rajasthan to defend the title. Despite playing at home ground Tamil Nadu had to content with the tag of runner-up only.

At the dead Chepauk pitch, Rajasthan has scored mammoth 621 runs in the first inning. Vineet Saxena (257 runs) was the highest scorer. The hosts Tamil Nadu crumbled under pressure and could score only 295 runs in response.

The visitors had got a huge 326-run lead over Tamil Nadu. On a lifeless pitch when Rajasthan started its second inning in the last session of fourth day's play, it was almost clear that the winner will be decided by the virtue of first innings lead.

Rajasthan declared its second inning at 204 for five. Robin Bisht with 92 runs was the highest scorer. Until the closing moment came Tamil Nadu had to play few mandatory overs. In the second inning they played thirteen overs and made 8 runs, loosing two wickets.

By virtue of the first innings lead Rajasthan defended its title. And so walked away with winner's cheque of Rs. 2 crore. Tamil Nadu could get half of that amount as a runner-up team.

Vineet Saxena was declared man-of-the match for his gritty 257 runs in the first innings. For Rajasthan's captain Hrishikesh Kanitkar it was the biggest day of his life. He led Rajasthan for the back-to-back Ranji Trophy titles.

The captain has attributed this title to a bit of luck and loads of hard-work from his boys. Six seasons back he was dumped by his own state Maharashtra and now he is remembered as one of the finest domestic captains of the recent times.

Rajasthan must be celebrating its consecutive Ranji Trophy title. But the cricket pundits are really worried. They are shocked to find such a dead pitch in the final of the premier tournament of India's domestic cricket.

If our cricket bosses let the domestic cricket run in such a fashion, then there is no issue crying for the lack of bench strength. Until and unless we get sporting tracks we won’t be getting players of international standard.