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Ranji Trophy 2015-16: Top 5 performances from Round 8

Round 8 of Ranji Trophy 2015-16 saw some excellent performances from many players, which helped in ensuring that their teams took a huge step forward in reaching the quarter-finals.

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Shahbaz Nadeem had a terrific match © IANS
Shahbaz Nadeem had a terrific match © IANS

Round 8 of Ranji Trophy 2015-16 saw some excellent performances from many players, which helped in ensuring that their teams took a huge step forward in reaching the quarter-final stage of the tournament. The final round group stage matches will begin from Tuesday.  Pramod Ananth lists some of the best performances from Round 8. READ: Ranji Trophy 2015-16: Top 6 Performances of Round 7

1. Karaparambil Monish (Kerala): Having made his Ranji Trophy debut in the previous season, Monish has come a long way this season. In a crunch match against Group C leaders Saurashtra, Monish picked up 11 wickets to help his side register a 45-run win. He picked up 6 wickets in the first innings, courtesy of which Kerala secured a 9-run first innings lead. Saurashtra were set a target of 115 and Monish’s 5-wicket haul in the second innings bundled the opposition out for just 69, chasing 115.

2. Shahbaz Nadeem (Jharkhand): Nadeem has picked up 40 wickets in the tournament so far and will have to play a major part once again in the match against Hyderabad in the final round to ensure Jharkhand make it to the quarter-final.  Jharkhand scored 337 in their first innings against Himachal Pradesh, riding on a ton from Shiv Gautam. Himachal Pradesh were bundled out for 133 in both their innings with Nadeem picking up 11 wickets in the match. He registered his best figures in First-Class cricket when he got 7 for 45 in the first innings. READ: Ranji Trophy 2015-16: Five cricketers who have impressed

3. Ashok Dinda (Bengal): Prior to the game against Odisha, Dinda was having an ordinary season. It seemed like it would continue after he failed to pick up a single wicket in the first innings. Odisha were set a target of 170 to chase. Dinda wrecked havoc as he finished with figures of 7 for 19, which helped bowling Odisha out of an embarrassing 37. Bengal therefore registered a 133-run win. This performance comes just at the right time for Dinda and Bengal as their final group stage match against Assam will be a straight knockout. READ: Diwesh Pathania’s 13 for 83: Second-best figures by an Indian on First-Class debut

4. Arun Karthik (Assam): Karthik has been a crucial player for Assam this season having moved to the north-east from Tamil Nadu recently. Karthik has already slammed three centuries this season with the latest one coming against Maharashtra at Pune. He scored an excellent 130 to help his side finish at 298, which was a decent score on that track. His strokeplay was excellent and he did not seem to struggle like the others did. Assam could not push for a win as rain had washed out one full day, but they secured three points thanks to a first innings lead. With Assam and Bengal tied at 25 points in Group A, Karthik will have to put in yet another good performance with the bat to ensure his side makes it to the quarter-final.

5. Swapnil Asnodkar (Goa): Asnodkar scored a superb 232 against Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and along with opener Amogh Desai put on 225 for the opening wicket. This wonderful start propelled Goa to a mammoth 552 for 5. Goa established a first innings lead as J&K were bowled out for 497. Goa may have already crashed out of the competition, but the innings from Asnodkar indeed a treat to watch. READ: Shreyas Iyer smashes third-fastest double century in Ranji Trophy history

(Pramod Ananth is a reporter at CricketCountry. He has represented Karnataka table tennis under-15, and is a hardcore supporter of Liverpool FC. His Twitter handle is @pramz)

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