The first day of the Assam vs Services match in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 Elite Group C fixture experienced a stunning day as two and a half innings were completed on the opening day, including two hat-tricks.  

Assam vs Services match experienced 25 wickets fall on the opening day

After Assam chose to bat first, they were bundled out for only 103 runs. In reply, Services were bundled out for only 108 runs, as they earned a five-run lead. In their second innings, Assam scored 56/5 at the stumps of the opening day, as the hosts have a 51-run lead at the moment. On the opening day of the match, a total of 25 wickets fell. 

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Services bowlers Arjun Sharma and Mohit Jangra recorded hat-tricks

During Assam's first innings, only the opener Pradyun Saikia (52), Riyan Parag (36), and Swarupam Purkayastha (13) managed to reach double-digit scores, while six batters scored ducks, including four golden ducks. In that innings, first Arjun Sharma completed his hat-trick in the 12th over after dismissing Riyan Parag, Sumit Ghadigaonkar, and Sibsankar Roy.

Soon, Mohit Jangra recorded another hat-trick by taking wickets in the 15th (one wicket) and 17th overs (two wickets), when he dismissed Pradyun Saikia, Mukhtar Hussain, and Bhargab Lahkar. While Arjun Sharma had the bowling figures of 6.2-1-46-5, Mohit Jangra had the impressive figures of 4-2-5-3.

In Services' first innings, only Irfan Khan (51*), opener Shivam Kumar (16), and the last batter Amit Shukla (10) managed double-digit scores, while there were four ducks. Among the Assam bowlers, Riyan Parag recorded a fifer (5/25) and Rahul Singh picked up four wickets (4/44).

In Assam's second innings, there are three batters to reach double-digit scores, but none of them have touched the 20-run mark yet, with the highest score of 17 not out by Sumit Ghadigaonkar. 

When most of the eyes are on the ongoing third ODI of the three-match series between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground, two players from Services have made their names in the history book with a hat-trick apiece during the 2025-26 season of the Ranji Trophy against Assam at the Tinsukia District Sports Association Ground in Tinsukia on October 25. 

Left-arm spinner Arjun Sharma picked up the wickets of Riyan Parag, Sumit Ghadigaonkar, and Sibsankar Roy in three successive balls to achieve the feat. Meanwhile, Mohit Jagra picked up three in a row to remove the only contributor of the game, a half-century from Pradyun Saikia, Mukhtar Hussain, and Bhargab Pratim Lahkar, to skittle the Assam side for 103 in 17.2 overs.

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It was a horrible start for Parag’s side, who lost their two wickets in three overs to the off-spinner, Pulkit Narang. But there was a steady progress with the 40-run stand for the third wicket between Parag and Pradyun Saikia. But the former fell for 36 runs in the fourth ball of Arjun’s overs before the next two batters followed back to the pavilion off successive deliveries.

Services bowlers pick two hat-tricks against Assam during Ranji Trophy 2025-26

The last player to pick a hat-trick in the Ranji Trophy was the Indian pace bowling all-rounder, Shardul Thakur, who picked up three in three for Mumbai in January this year for the last season’s Ranji Trophy against Meghalaya. He is leading the side in this edition after their veteran player, Ajinkya Rahane, decided to step down from his position.

Arjun finished with a fine figure of 5/46 in 6.2 overs, including one maiden, while Mohit Jangra ended with figures of 3/5 in four overs besides two maidens. Pulkit also picked up two wickets for 27 runs in five overs.

This is the first time in the history of the Ranji Trophy that two different bowlers have picked up hat-tricks in the same innings. Joginder Singh Rao of Services is the only other bowler to have bagged two hat-tricks in the same innings, back in 1963.

While the senior national team is preparing to play the Australian Capital Territory in Canberra on August 26 during its extension in Australia as part of the senior men's national team's Top End T20 Series, another Nepali team, Nepal 'A', is to be involved on August 26 as well. The 'A' team will start its tour of Guwahati, India, where it will play the Assam State team in a T20 series of five matches from August 26 to September 3, 2025.

The announcement was made on Saturday by the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) and announced not only the details of the tour but also the names of the 16-person squad. The CAN also stated this series will provide the opportunity for Nepal's second-string side to gain important match exposure against a strong Indian state unit. Assam has produced many fine cricketers within India's domestic structure, and it will be a tough challenge for the young Nepali group overall.

Making opportunities for Emerging Players

The squad will be captained by Anil Kumar Sah, who will double as wicketkeeper. Sah's higher-level experience is anticipated to lead the relatively young squad. With him are some promising hitters, some promising bowlers, and some promising all-rounders who will be fighting to show their worth in a foreign country.

According to CAN, the focus of the tour to Guwahati is to provide exposure to Nepal's emerging players in a competitive setup and opposition. The senior team is focused on their International duties, so player opportunities ensure a continual pipeline of emerging players coming through into the national teams.

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An Important Move for Nepal Cricket

The tour is timely, given Nepal's improving cricket presence. The matches will not only assist young players in moving towards higher levels of opposition, but also will aim to prepare them for future international duties.

For cricket fans in Nepal, the dual action of the senior team in Australia and the 'A' team in India is an exciting time and indicates a growing depth and commitment of Nepal cricket in developing its players.

Nepal A Squad: Anil Sah (c, wk), Arjun Gharti Magar (wk), Trit Raj Das, Subh Kansakar, Ishan Pandey, Dev Khanal, Sandeep Jora, Bibek K. Yadav, Pawan Sharoff, Basir Ahmed, Akash Chand, Kamal S. Airee, Adil Alam Ansari, Sher Malla, Yubraj Khatri, Sagar Dhakal.