# Chhattisgarh Leads as Hyderabad Stumbles in Ranji Trophy Clash Hyderabad faces a difficult chase after losing two early wickets at stumps. - **Source:** [The Hindu – Cricket](https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket) - **Published:** 2026-11-04 - **Topic:** [sports](https://brifing.si/c/sports) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/ffb48f1f-c807-4aa5-9b2d-a7e264ded8d4 ## Match Situation Overview The Ranji Trophy encounter between Hyderabad and Chhattisgarh reached a critical juncture on day three. After Hyderabad conceded the first-innings lead early in the morning, the match intensified significantly. Chhattisgarh set a challenging target of 259 runs for victory, leaving Hyderabad in a precarious position as they navigate the final stages. ## Chhattisgarh Second Innings Chhattisgarh posted 254 runs in their second innings, bolstered by a 115-run partnership between Mayank Verma and Sanjeet Desai. Despite a middle-order collapse triggered by Hyderabad’s bowlers, a resilient 55-run last-wicket stand ensured a competitive total. This performance effectively shifted the pressure back onto the hosts during the afternoon session. ## Hyderabad Bowling Performance Rakshann Readdi and Aniketh Reddy were the standout bowlers for Hyderabad, each claiming three wickets. Their efforts briefly threatened to dismantle the Chhattisgarh lineup before the late-order resistance occurred. The bowling unit struggled to maintain consistent pressure, allowing the visitors to recover from 199 for nine to reach their final score. ## Late Stumps Drama Chasing 259 for victory, Hyderabad endured a disastrous start during the final five overs of the day. Dev Aditya Singh struck twice, dismissing both Tanmay Agarwal and Ruthik Yadav for ducks. This double blow left Hyderabad at 13 for two, significantly complicating their path toward a successful run chase on the final day. ## Key Individual Contributions Mayank Verma anchored the Chhattisgarh innings with a solid 81, while Sanjeet Desai contributed 51 runs. For Hyderabad, Rahul Radesh had earlier scored 72 in the first innings, but the team failed to capitalize on that momentum. The match remains finely balanced as both sides look toward the final day's play. ## Tactical Bowling Changes Hyderabad captain C.V. Milind attempted to disrupt the rhythm by introducing Abhirath Reddy, who claimed a wicket with his second ball. This tactical gamble provided a momentary spark, yet the team could not sustain the momentum. The inability to quickly wrap up the tail proved costly for the home side's prospects. ## First Innings Context Hyderabad finished their first innings at 280, with Dharmendrasinh Jadeja taking five wickets for Chhattisgarh. The visitors' disciplined bowling performance was instrumental in securing the narrow lead. This foundation allowed Chhattisgarh to play with greater freedom in their second innings, ultimately setting a target that tests Hyderabad's batting depth under pressure. ## Final Day Outlook With eight wickets remaining and a significant deficit to overcome, Hyderabad faces an uphill battle on the final day. The early loss of two key openers has placed immense responsibility on the remaining batters. Chhattisgarh will look to exploit the current momentum to secure a victory in this intense domestic cricket fixture. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/twin-strikes-sting-hyderabad-before-stumps-after-chhattisgarh-takes-first-innings-lead/article71666377.ece — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._