New Delhi: In what can be termed as the worst stroke of misfortune, Bengal batter Sudip Gharami fell just one short of completing a historic triple century in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal against Andhra Pradesh in Kalyani. Nearing a record-breaking triple ton, Gharmani was dismissed by Shaikh Rasheed on the fourth day to become the first Indian and fifth batter to be dismissed on 299 in the history of First-Class cricket.
Gharami’s marathon innings knock comprised record-breaking feats, including his dismissal on 299, albeit it was an unwanted record, one that will haunt him for a lifetime.
While Gharami fell just short of the landmark score at the Bengal Cricket Academy, the stoic No. 3 batter ensured Bengal had asserted their supremacy on the game after having breezed past Andhra’s first-innings total of 295.
Gharami single-handedly dashed Andhra’s hopes for the first-innings lead with his remarkable knock.
Having scored his maiden double century, the Bengal batter showed great hunger and desire to keep on going to solidify his team’s position in the match. The 26-year-old stitched century partnerships for the sixth and seventh wickets, the latter being a 221-run stand with wicket-keeper Shakir Gandhi.
One followed another as Gandhi and Akash Deep fell in quick succession to possibly disturb his rhythm. Batting on 299th and eager to reach the landmark, Gharami was castled by Andhra leggie Rasheed, who managed to get through his defences with a low-bouncing ball.
WATCH: Huge disappointment for Bengal batter Gharami
A knock worthy of a 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐕𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 👏
Sudip Gharami walks back after a marathon inning of 299 (596) to keep Bengal ahead in the #RanjiTrophy quarter final!@IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/DK7hMTyqPI
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) February 9, 2026
The young cricketer easily surpassed his previous best of 186 but, unfortunately, became the first Indian man ever to fall on 299 and only the third man in all of First-Class cricket to suffer such a brutal heartbreak.
Among the players who have scored 299 in the first innings of a First-Class match are legendary Donald Bradman, who finished unbeaten on 299 in a Test against South Africa at the Adelaide Oval in the 1931-32 season. Former Maharashtra cricket icon SS Sugwekar scored an unbeaten 299 in the Ranji Trophy in the 1988-99 season.
But Gharami became only the third player to be dismissed on 299 in First-Class cricket after New Zealand icon Martin Crowe and former English batter Michael Powell.
Players to score 299 in the first innings of a First-Class match
| Score | Player | Team (Innings) | Opposition | Venue, Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 299* | Don Bradman | Australia (1) | South Africa | Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, 1931/32 |
| 299* | SS Sugwekar | Maharashtra (1) | Madhya Pradesh | Nehru Stadium, Pune, 1988/89 |
| 299 | Martin Crowe | New Zealand (2) | Sri Lanka | Basin Reserve, Wellington, 1990/91 |
| 299 | Michael Powell | Glamorgan (1) | Gloucestershire | College Ground, Cheltenham, 2006 |
| 299 | Sudip Gharami | Bengal | Andhra | Kalyani, 2026 |
Gharami’s outstanding knock inspired out-of-favour India pacer Mohammed Shami, who blasted 53 off 33 balls to help Bengal post a mammoth total of 629. In reply, Andhra were tottering at 64 for 3 at Stumps on Day 4, trailing by 270 runs.