Jharkhand, TN tie heading for a thrilling end

Setting Tamil Nadu a 234-run target on a heavily spin-friendly track, hosts Jharkhand restricted their opponents to 137 for five in 41 overs in their last Ranji Trophy Elite Group D match in Jamshedpur on Friday. The game is tantalisingly poised with the home side needing five wickets for their second win this Ranji season while group leaders Tamil Nadu need 97 runs on Day 3 to consolidate their position atop and secure the quarterfinal berth from the group. Off-spinning all-rounder Utkarsh Singh followed up his career-best first-class innings haul of six wickets on the opening day with a valuable contribution with the bat as Jharkhand barely crossed the 150-run mark in their second essay, resuming the day on 5/1 at Keenan Stadium. Utkarsh was the joint top-scorer for the hosts with Aditya Singh as both scored 35 while wickets tumbled at regular intervals. Opener Sharandeep Singh returned duck in the third ball of the day as overnight unbeaten nightwatchman Manishi and captain Ishan Kishan (7 off 19) followed soon after as the hosts were reduced to 25/4 in the ninth over. Jharkhand middle order's resistance to TN left-arm spinners Sai Kishore (5/43) and Ajith Ram (4/30) was little to help them to safety as they were folded for 154 in 48.4 overs. Chasing 200-plus score for victory on this track was never easy as Tamil Nadu lost five wickets in the chase. Experienced Vijay Shankar, batting on 33, is at the crease with Ram for company on 5. Brief scores (In Jamshedpur): Jharkhand 185 & (o/n 5/1) 154 in 48.4 overs (Utkarsh Singh 35, Aditya Singh 35; Sai Kishore 5/43). Tamil Nadu 106 & 137/5 in 41 overs (Md Ali 44, Vijay Shankar 33 batting; Manishi 3/36, Aditya Singh 1/6). Match to continue.