Ranji Trophy 2024-25: 6’9” Nishanth stands tall as Hyderabad overpowers Himachal Pradesh on second day

Ranji Trophy 2024-25: 6’9” Nishanth stands tall as Hyderabad overpowers Himachal Pradesh on second day

Saranu Nishanth, playing his second Ranji Trophy match, was the surprise batting hero for Hyderabad scoring a belligerent 71 (93b,10×4, 1×6) and putting on a crucial 114-run stand for the last wicket with Rakshan Readdi (42, 135b, 2×4) to help the home team score an imposing 565 against Himachal Pradesh on the second day of the Elite Group B match at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here on Friday.

When Himachal batted with shadows creeping, the 6-foot, 9-inch pacer Nishant struck in the fifth over of the innings, inducing a snick from opener Prashant Chopra to wicketkeeper Rahul Radesh to ensure Hyderabad capped an immensely satisfying day.

Earlier, Hyderabad suffered mid-innings setbacks to be 451 for nine at one stage, despite Tanmay Agarwal scoring 177 (327b, 19×4). He was lucky to be caught behind off a no-ball off pacer Rishi Dhawan when on 146 but was more aggressive today.

Then, to the dismay of Himachal camp, 19-year-old Nishanth joined Rakshan Readdi, who earlier saw the free-stroking K. Himateja (76, 106b, 5×4, 5×6) play some superb strokes all over the ground during their handy 52-run partnership for the ninth-wicket.

The last wicket duo of Nishanth and Rakshan put on the second-best stand for last wicket for Hyderabad in Ranji Trophy, the best being 134 by Vivek Jaisimha and Venkatapathi Raju against Karnataka at Gymkhana in 1989-90.

This is also the highest score by Hyderabad at this venue, beating the previous best of 548 for five declared against Tripura in 2015-16 season.

Nishanth’s batting was a revelation and clearly surprised his teammates, who were lustily cheering every stroke he played and as the partnership grew, even Rakshan played some well-timed strokes.

Interestingly, Hyderabad didn’t declare once it crossed the 500-mark but preferred to bat on before being bowled in the extended session of play before tea.

For Himachal, left-arm spinner Akash Vashisht and off-spinner Mukul Negi were the pick of the bowlers even as the others struggled, especially when Hyderabad tail wagged merrily.