JP's magical season

A game that twisted and turned on the first four days meandered to an anti-climactic, inevitable, end as Railways strolled to their second Ranji Trophy triumph by virtue of gaining the first-innings lead

With an indomitable display of attritional batting, Railways all but wrapped up their second Ranji Trophy title as Punjab were ground out of the contest on a corpse-like pitch

AK Mohanty made a determined 40 not out, but there was little support from the rest of the Services lower order, and he was left stranded as his side finished with 191

An inspirational hundred by Pankaj Dharmani, at a time when Punjabappeared out for the count, put the game back on an even keel butRailways regained their advantage at the end of the day through ablistering counterattack

It wasn't a common sight in Indian domestic cricket andwatching it gave one a unique thrill

AK Mohanty made a determined 40 not out, but there was little support from the rest of the Services lower order, and he was left stranded as his side finished with 191

Like they have done all season, Railways summoned every ounce of collective responsibility and fought back when the game was drifting away to regain their dominant position at the end of the second day's play at Mohali

The first day of the Ranji Trophy Plate final had been dominated by Chetan Sharma, who made 95, and the second day was also a day of Sharmas

Three obdurate half-centuries put Railways on top but a controlled spell of seam bowling helped Punjab claw their way back in an engrossing opening day of the Ranji Trophy final at Mohali