Key points
- Ajith Ram scored an unbeaten 115, his maiden first-class century, in Tamil Nadu’s first innings.
- The left-arm spinner took 7/48 in Chandigarh’s second innings to complete a seven-wicket haul.
- Tamil Nadu declared at 571/7 before bowling Chandigarh out for 94 and 218.
- Chandigarh’s second innings ended on the fourth day, giving Tamil Nadu an innings-and-259-run victory.
- Pradosh Ranjan Paul scored 208 in Tamil Nadu’s only innings.
- Tamil Nadu collected seven points, including a bonus point, and moved to 21 points from four matches, according to The New Indian Express.
S. Ajith Ram delivered a memorable all-round performance as Tamil Nadu completed a commanding innings-and-259-run victory over Chandigarh in their Ranji Trophy 2026-27 Elite Group D fixture at the Sector 16 Cricket Stadium on Thursday, November 5. The left-arm spinner followed his maiden first-class century with figures of 7/48 in the hosts’ second innings, putting the finishing touch on Tamil Nadu’s third consecutive win.
Tamil Nadu had taken control of the match with a first-innings total of 571 for seven declared. Chandigarh were dismissed for 94 in their first innings and, after being asked to follow on, managed 218 in their second essay. The result earned Tamil Nadu seven points, including the bonus point.
Ajith Ram’s career-best match
Ajith’s contribution began with the bat. Coming in during Tamil Nadu’s long first innings, he remained unbeaten on 115, reaching his maiden first-class hundred and helping the visitors build an imposing total. Pradosh Ranjan Paul was the leading scorer with 208, while the lower-order runs helped Tamil Nadu declare at 571/7.
The innings gave Tamil Nadu a lead of 477 after Chandigarh’s first-innings reply ended at 94. Sonu Yadav had led the initial bowling effort with four wickets for 18 runs, while captain R. Sai Kishore and Saravana Kumar also made important contributions.
Chandigarh showed more resistance in the second innings, with Arjun Azad making 60 and Manan Vohra scoring 59. The pair helped the hosts reach 155 for two, briefly offering a measure of stability after the follow-on. Tamil Nadu, however, kept taking wickets and Chandigarh were eventually dismissed for 218.
Ajith was central to that collapse, finishing with 7/48. He added the final three wickets on Thursday morning after Chandigarh had resumed at 189 for seven. Tamil Nadu needed just seven overs and five balls to complete the innings and seal the emphatic result.
A landmark beyond the scorecard
The performance placed Ajith in a rare group in Tamil Nadu cricket. The Hindu reported that he became only the fourth player from the state to score a century and take at least five wickets in an innings in the same first-class match. The three earlier names cited in the report were A.G. Ram Singh, B.C. Alva and S. Vasudevan.
The achievement carried added significance because of the injury setback he had faced. Ajith had suffered complete tears of the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his right knee. In comments reported by The Hindu, he reflected on having doubted whether he would return to playing cricket after the injury. His century and seven-wicket haul therefore marked not just a major match, but a personal comeback.
Tamil Nadu build momentum in Elite Group D
The victory was Tamil Nadu’s third in succession in the competition and strengthened their position in Elite Group D. The New Indian Express reported that the team had 21 points from four matches and stood second behind Mumbai, who had 27 points at the time of its report. Tamil Nadu’s seven-point return from Chandigarh included the bonus point available for the scale of the win.
For Tamil Nadu, the match offered several positives: Pradosh’s double century, Ajith’s maiden first-class hundred, and a decisive bowling display across both Chandigarh innings. Sonu’s early strikes and Ajith’s control in the second innings ensured that the large first-innings lead was converted into an outright result.
Ajith’s contribution was the defining individual story. A century followed by seven wickets is an exceptional return in first-class cricket, and the timing of the performance — after a serious knee injury — made it an especially notable moment in Tamil Nadu’s campaign.
Frequently asked questions
How many wickets did Ajith Ram take against Chandigarh?
Ajith Ram took seven wickets for 48 runs in Chandigarh’s second innings in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group D match. His spell helped Tamil Nadu dismiss Chandigarh for 218 and complete an innings-and-259-run victory on the fourth day.
What was Ajith Ram’s score against Chandigarh?
Ajith Ram scored an unbeaten 115 in Tamil Nadu’s first innings. It was his maiden first-class century, and he followed it with a seven-wicket haul in Chandigarh’s second innings to produce a standout all-round performance.
What was the result of the Tamil Nadu versus Chandigarh Ranji Trophy match?
Tamil Nadu defeated Chandigarh by an innings and 259 runs at the Sector 16 Cricket Stadium. Tamil Nadu declared at 571 for seven, while Chandigarh were dismissed for 94 and 218 in their two innings.
Who scored a double century for Tamil Nadu against Chandigarh?
Pradosh Ranjan Paul scored 208 in Tamil Nadu’s first innings. His double century helped the visitors reach 571 for seven declared, setting up a large first-innings lead before the bowlers completed the win.
How many points did Tamil Nadu earn from the Chandigarh match?
Tamil Nadu earned seven points, including a bonus point, from the victory. The New Indian Express reported that the team moved to 21 points from four matches and was second in Elite Group D behind Mumbai at that stage.