The Assam vs Services match, played during the group stage of the Ranji Trophy 2025, has etched its name in the annals of history. This match concluded in just 90 overs, making it the shortest match ever in India's premier red-ball cricket tournament.
Sports News: A record has been set in India's prestigious domestic cricket tournament, the Ranji Trophy 2025, which has forever changed the competition's history. The Assam vs Services match, played in Group ‘C’, made history — it concluded in merely 90 overs (540 balls), becoming the shortest match in the 91-year history of the Ranji Trophy.
Entire Match Concludes in 90 Overs – The Tournament's Shortest Encounter
This encounter between Assam and Services took place on the ground in Tinsukia (Assam). Assam won the toss and elected to bat first, but Services' bowlers wreaked havoc. The entire Assam team was bundled out for just 103 runs in merely 17.2 overs. This sight was incredible for cricket fans — such a swiftly concluding innings is rarely seen at the Ranji Trophy level.
Previously, the shortest match in Ranji Trophy history was played between Delhi and Railways in 1962, which concluded in 547 balls. However, this Assam vs Services match of 2025 proved to be even shorter, as it ended in merely 540 balls.
First Time Two Hat-tricks in a Single Innings
The most remarkable feature of this match was that two bowlers took hat-tricks in a single innings. This spectacle was witnessed for the first time not just in the Ranji Trophy, but in the entire history of first-class cricket. From Services, Arjun Sharma took three wickets in three consecutive balls in the 12th over to complete his hat-trick. Immediately after, Mohit Jangra completed the second hat-trick by taking three consecutive wickets — the last ball of the 15th over and the first two balls of the 17th over.
Assam's batsmen could not stand against these two bowlers, and the entire team was restricted to 103 runs. This outcome of the first innings ensured the match was recorded in the history books on the very first day.
Assam's Attempt to Comeback and Riyan Parag's Bowling
In the first innings, Assam's bowling somewhat attempted to bring the team back into the match. Riyan Parag delivered an excellent performance, taking 5 wickets, while Rahul Singh claimed 4 wickets. Thanks to their efforts, the Services team was restricted to just 108 runs. In this innings, Irfan Khan of Services played a crucial knock of 51 runs. Despite securing only a 5-run lead in the first innings, the Services team maintained pressure on Assam.
In the second innings too, Assam's batsmen completely failed. The team was all out for just 75 runs. This time again, Arjun Sharma continued his lethal bowling, taking 4 wickets. Among the batsmen, only Sumit (25 runs), Riyan Parag (12 runs), and Danish Das (10 runs) managed to reach double figures. Thus, Services were left with a target of merely 71 runs to win, which they comfortably chased down in 13.5 overs. Services won the match by 8 wickets, solidifying their position in the points table.
Arjun Sharma Becomes the Hero – Player of the Match
Services' star bowler Arjun Sharma was chosen as the Player of the Match for his outstanding performance. He took 5 wickets in the first innings and 4 wickets in the second innings — a total of 9 wickets in the match. His magnificent bowling made this encounter the shortest match in Ranji Trophy history.
