After a long gap of 25 years, the Ranji Trophy returned to the Tinsukia District Sports Association (TDSA) Ground in Kachujan as Assam hosted Services in the second round of the 91st edition of the tournament. Fans in Tinsukia witnessed something special that they won’t forget anytime soon! Well, it turned out to be the shortest-ever Ranji Trophy game in history and also saw as many as two players take hat-tricks in a single innings!
Shortest Ranji Trophy match & 2 hat-tricks in an innings
Riyan Parag-led Assam were, unfortunately, on the losing side as the Services bowlers dominated the short game that lasted only 90 overs! Ninety overs, four sessions, 32 wickets, two hat-tricks, and just 359 runs – all it took to finish an entire first-class match. The Ranji Trophy has seen its share of bizarre results, but nothing quite like this.
In less than two days, the game was over. Assam, led by Riyan Parag, were bowled out for 103 in the first innings, then for 75 in the second, as Services wrapped up an eight-wicket win in just 540 balls, the shortest completed Ranji Trophy game in history. The record surpassed the Delhi vs Railways clash from the 1961-62 season that ended after 547 balls.
The first day itself was straight out of a cricketing fever dream. Services spinner Arjun Sharma ripped through Assam’s top order, taking a hat-trick that included skipper Riyan Parag, wicketkeeper Sumit Ghadigaonkar, and veteran Sibsankar Roy. Then, just when Assam thought they’d seen it all, left-arm quick Mohit Jangra followed it up with another hat-trick in the same innings, dismissing opener Pradyun Saikia (52 off 42), Mukhtar Hussain, and Bhargab Lakhar.
It was the first instance in Ranji Trophy history where two different bowlers took hat-tricks in the same innings.
Shortest Ranji Trophy Matches in History (By Balls)
| Balls | Teams | Season | Total Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 540 | Assam v Services | 2025/26 | 359 |
| 547 | Delhi v Railways | 1961/62 | 221 |
| 574 | Tripura v Rajasthan | 2019/20 | 359 |
| 597 | Haryana v Tripura | 2019/20 | 359 |
| 605 | Madras v Mysore | 1934/35 | 237 |
Notably, in first-class history, this is only the third time a single innings has featured two hat-tricks.
| Player(s) | For | Against | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albert Trott (x2) | Middlesex | Somerset | Lord’s | 1907 |
| Joginder Singh Rao (x2) | Services | Northern Punjab | Amritsar | 1962 |
| Arjun Sharma, Mohit Jangra | Services | Assam | Tinsukia | 2025 |
Despite ending on the losing side, Parag was Assam’s lone bright spark. He bowled his heart out, taking a career-best 5 for 25 in Services’ first innings and nearly pulling off a hat-trick of his own. His all-round effort ensured the visitors led by just five runs after the first innings. But on a pitch that behaved like a minefield, Assam’s batters collapsed again, setting up a straightforward chase.
