Indian domestic cricket witnessed an extraordinary piece of history unfold at Kolkata's iconic Eden Gardens as the Ranji Trophy clash between Assam and Services concluded in just two days, making it the shortest completed first-class match ever recorded on Indian soil.
A Pitch That Dominated the Game
The match, which spanned only five sessions and 171.2 overs, saw an astonishing 32 wickets fall as batsmen from both teams struggled tremendously against a pitch that offered excessive assistance to bowlers. The surface at Eden Gardens proved to be so challenging that it turned what should have been a four-day contest into a two-day spectacle.
The Dramatic Scorecard
Services, opting to bat first after winning the toss, were bundled out for a mere 129 runs in their first innings. The Assam bowlers, led by their pace attack, exploited the conditions perfectly to dismantle the Services batting lineup.
However, the real drama unfolded when Assam came out to bat. In a stunning collapse that left cricket enthusiasts in disbelief, the entire Assam team was skittled out for just 74 runs, handing Services a crucial 55-run first-innings lead.
The Final Collapse and Victory
Services' second innings proved even more disastrous as they registered one of the lowest totals in Ranji Trophy history - a paltry 35 runs all out. This remarkable collapse set Assam a target of 91 runs to win the match.
In a fitting end to this bowler-dominated contest, Assam chased down the target with six wickets in hand, securing a victory in what will be remembered as one of the most unusual matches in Indian domestic cricket history.
Historical Significance
This match has now entered the record books as the shortest completed first-class game in India, surpassing previous records and highlighting the extreme conditions that favored bowlers throughout the contest. The rapid conclusion has sparked discussions about pitch preparation and the balance between bat and ball in domestic cricket.
Cricket historians and enthusiasts are now comparing this match to other famously short first-class encounters worldwide, but this Eden Gardens spectacle stands unique in the annals of Indian domestic cricket.
