Ranji Trophy defending champions Vidarbha suffered an epic collapse ending in a thrilling tie in a Karnataka State Cricket Association Invitational tournament fixture against Ranji Trophy Plate League defending champions Goa.
At the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy Elite Group champions, Vidarbha, faced the Plate League champions, Goa, in a four-day fixture from September 4. The match, part of the KSCA's invitational Dr (Capt) K. Thimmappiah Memorial Tournament, culminated in an epic finish.
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Goa fight back after first innings low score
Vidarbha, led by Sunrisers Hyderabad batter Atharva Taide, chose to bowl first after winning the toss. Opening the innings for Goa was Ishaan Gadekar alongside former RCB all-rounder Suyash Prabhudesai. The first wicket fell for 30 runs in the eighth over when Gadekar was dismissed for 17. Prabhudesai soon followed his opening partner back to the dressing room, out for 21, leaving Goa 52-2.
As wickets kept tumbling, Goa’s most important partnership was a 90-run effort between Darshan Mishal (39) and Abhinav Tejrana (50). Tejrana went on to top-score with 74, as they were bowled out for 211. Praful Hinge (4-32) was the pick of the Vidarbha bowlers, while Nachiket Bhute and Ganesh Bhosle picked up 3-39 each.
Despite being bowled out for a low score, Goa fought back to secure a narrow three-run first innings lead. Half-centuries from Taide (50) and Delhi Capitals all-rounder Darshan Nalkande (55) held the Vidarbha innings together, but three-wicket hauls from Rutvik Naik (3-38) and Vijesh Prabhudesai (3-52) restricted them to 208.
After the first innings totals proved nearly identical, Goa set Vidarbha a target of 244 runs to win. Tejrana contributed again with 47, while Gadekar (51) was the only batter to pass fifty. Hinge (3-38) and Bhute (3-38) were the standout bowlers once more for Vidarbha.
Vidarbha lose way after century opening stand
Chasing the target, Vidarbha had a terrific start courtesy of a 141-run opening stand between Taide (62) and Aman Mokhade (72). After the partnership was broken in the 36th over, they suffered a disastrous collapse, going from 141-0 to 211-7. Mokhade fell just short of his century for 95.
Hinge put up a fight from No. 9 with a quickfire cameo, adding a crucial 32-run stand with Yash Kadam to help Vidarbha level the scores at 243. Just when it looked like Vidarbha had the game in their bag, things took an unexpected turn. Hinge was bowled by Mishal for 24 off 12 balls in the 66th over. Then, off-spinner Mohit Redkar took the remaining two wickets, of Yash Kadam (21) and Arya Durugkar (0), in the 67th over to help Goa seal a breathtaking tie. Redkar (5-89) and Mishal (4-71) were the wrecker-in-chiefs, restricting Vidarbha to 243.
Goa drew the match against the #RanjiTrophy champions Vidarbha in the K.Thimmappaiah Tournament. Mohit Redkar (5/89) and Darshan Mishal (4/71) made sure that the match ended in a tie. Proud of you boys. Let’s continue the good work in the upcoming domestic season @GoaAssociation pic.twitter.com/oJkqsbE3rm
— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) September 7, 2025
How many instances of first-class ties have been there?
As per the post-1948 laws, a tie can only be declared once the match is concluded (all four innings are completed) and the final scores are level. Overall, in the history of first-class cricket, 63 matches have been recorded as a tie. The Vidarbha-Goa fixture, however, isn't included because the tournament doesn't have first-class status.
The most recent tied first-class match was the 2024 County Championship Division Two fixture between Gloucestershire and Glamorgan, where Glamorgan tied the score while chasing 593 in the fourth innings.
In India, there hasn't been a tied first-class game since the famous 1986 Test between India and Australia in Chennai. The only other first-class tie on Indian soil was the 1945-46 Ranji Trophy semi-final between Southern Punjab and Baroda.
Last five tied first-class matches
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