Ranji Trophy | Hyderabad returns to the Elite Group in style

Hyderabad clinches Ranji Trophy Plate Group final with a five-wicket win against Meghalaya, amidst heated exchanges and cash incentives.

 There were no wild celebrations as has been the case right through this season by the Hyderabad cricketers. And, it was like a routine walk back to the dressing room by Chandan Sahani after he swung slow blower Aryan Bora over mid-on for a six to clinch a five-wicket win for the home team against Meghalaya on the fourth day of the Ranji Trophy Plate Group final at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here on Tuesday.

Resuming at 71 for one and needing 198 for victory, Hyderabad was rarely in a spot of bother with southpaw G. Rahul Singh (62, 40b, 8x4, 2x6) in a hurry not just to finish the match but also try to reach the three-figure mark, which he has done thrice this season. But he should be dejected for pulling one from pacer Chengkam Sangma straight to the fielder in the deep in the 12th over of the morning.

This saw the classy captain Tilak Varma (64, 50b, 6x4, 2x6) and the gritty Rohit Rayudu (34, 61b, 1x4, 2x6) come together and add 82 to dash whatever hopes Meghalaya had.

Tilak, looking good for another century this season, was caught in the slips off a leading edge by Meghalaya captain Kishan Lyngdoh off Raj Biswa with just seven needed for a victory.

Soon, Rayudu stepped out to loft, only to give a leading edge to backward short-leg fielder Jaskirant off left-arm spinner Aryan Bora.

Even on Tuesday, both Tilak and Rohit were involved in a couple of heated exchanges with the Meghalaya players, forcing the umpires to intervene.

Cash incentive