Tamil Nadu beats Railways by innings and 144 to win Ranji Trophy.

On March 30, 1988, an epic battle unfolded on the cricket field as Tamil Nadu faced off against Railways in the final match of the Ranji Trophy. This exhilarating encounter would go down in history as Tamil Nadu emerged victorious, defeating Railways by an innings and 144 runs. The match showcased the incredible skill, determination, and teamwork of the Tamil Nadu team, leaving a lasting impact on cricket fans around the country.

From the very start of the match, Tamil Nadu showed their dominance. Winning the toss, Tamil Nadu captain, Srikkanth, elected to field first. This decision would prove to be a game-changer as the Tamil Nadu bowlers wreaked havoc on the Railways batting line-up. The fast bowlers, led by Laxman Sivaramakrishnan and Bharath Arun, consistently troubled the Railways batsmen with their pace and swing. Railways struggled to build partnerships and were eventually dismissed for a paltry total of 87 runs in their first innings.

Buoyed by their exceptional bowling performance, the Tamil Nadu batsmen took to the crease with confidence. Led by the experienced duo of Srikkanth and VB Chandrasekhar, Tamil Nadu showcased their batting prowess. Srikkanth played a blistering innings, scoring a century, while Chandrasekhar provided solid support with a well-constructed fifty. Tamil Nadu amassed a massive total of 344 runs, achieving a significant lead of 257 runs.

With such a substantial lead, Tamil Nadu had the upper hand going into the second innings. The pressure was squarely on Railways to salvage the match and prevent an innings defeat. However, the Tamil Nadu bowlers continued to dominate, not giving an inch to the Railways batsmen. Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, the star of the first innings, once again wreaked havoc as he spun a web around the Railways batsmen.

Sivaramakrishnan’s mesmerizing spin bowling accounted for seven wickets in the innings, leaving Railways struggling at 158 runs. With just a slender lead of 1 run, Tamil Nadu enforced the follow-on, forcing Railways to bat once again.

The script remained unchanged in the second innings as Tamil Nadu bowlers continued their rampage. Bharath Arun and Sivaramakrishnan once again stepped up, taking four and three wickets respectively. Railways batsmen proved to be no match for the Tamil Nadu bowling attack as they were bowled out for a mere 228 runs, falling short by 144 runs.

With this convincing victory, Tamil Nadu clinched their first-ever Ranji Trophy title. The team had showcased exemplary skills and teamwork throughout the tournament, and this final match was the perfect culmination of their efforts. The players were hailed as heroes by cricket enthusiasts across the country.

The victory of Tamil Nadu against Railways in the 1988 Ranji Trophy final will always be remembered as a testament to their skill, determination, and teamwork. The match served as a reminder of the beauty of cricket and the memorable moments it can create. Cricket fans continue to recall this match as one of the most remarkable performances in the history of the Ranji Trophy, leaving a lasting legacy for Tamil Nadu cricket.