The recent Ranji Trophy match between Assam and Services turned into a forgettable and record-breaking nightmare for the Assam side, led by their star player Riyan Parag. Services secured a massive and dominant eight-wicket victory in Tinsukia, wrapping up the game in just over two days, making it one of the shortest Ranji Trophy matches in recent history.
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This heavy defeat was not just about the loss; it scripted Assam’s name in the history books for all the wrong reasons. Under Riyan Parag, they became the first team ever in the Ranji Trophy to concede two hat-tricks in a single match, a devastating blow to the team's image.
Despite the eventual collapse, the first day offered a small flicker of hope. In the first innings, Assam struggled, managing only 110 runs. However, captain Riyan Parag responded heroically with the ball, tearing through the Services line-up by claiming an impressive five wickets for just 25 runs. This strong bowling performance meant that Assam surprisingly managed to snatch a slender two-run lead, as Services were bowled out for 108 runs.
However, what awaited them was unfathomable. Assam’s batting line-up completely fell apart under pressure in the latter part of the match. Resuming their second innings, they succumbed quickly, managing only a meagre 75 runs. Riyan Parag, their main man, could only manage 12. This set Services an easy target of just 71 runs, which they chased down comfortably with eight wickets still in hand under 14 overs.
The true hero of this crushing victory for the Services team was their left-arm spinner, Arjun Sharma. He was simply unplayable, earning the Player of the Match award for his massive nine-wicket haul across both innings. His spell of 4/20 in the second innings cleaned up Assam’s tail, ensuring the swift end to the match.
Along with his teammate Mohit Jangra, he was responsible for creating a historic 'double hat-trick' record against Assam in the first innings. For Riyan Parag and the Assam squad, this match serves as a harsh lesson about the importance of collective team performance in first-class cricket.
