Cuttack, Feb 2: Riding on openers Shubham Rohilla’s 209 not out and Suraj Vashisht’s unbeaten 154, Services achieved the second highest successful run-chase in Ranji Trophy history as they overhauled a 376-run target against Odisha without losing a wicket in their Group A match here on Sunday.
Jammu and Kashmir, who recently shocked 42-time champions Mumbai by five wickets in their backyard, progressed to the quarterfinals from the group with a memorable 182-run win over Baroda in Vadodara.
Services’ effort is second only to Railways’ 378-run chase against Tripura in Agartala last year.
Vashisht and Rohilla’s unbroken 376-run partnership is also the second highest stand in a successful fourth-innings run-chase in First-Class cricket history.
Services were set the imposing target after Odisha notched 394 in the second innings, with Anil Parida remaining unbeaten on 99.
Odisha were bundled out for 180 in the first innings. In reply, Services managed just 199 in their first essay, taking a slender 19-run lead owing to Ravi Chauhan’s 120.
However, Vashisht and Rohilla produced a stunning effort on the fourth and final day of the game to see their team home in unbelievable fashion.
Resuming the day on overnight 46 for no loss, the duo of Vashisht and Rohilla went about their task in a professional manner and completed the job in 85.4 overs after maintaining a scoring rate of over four runs per over. (PTI)
