Sai Kishore produced a match-winning performance as Tamil Nadu defeated Uttarakhand by an innings and 66 runs on October 20, 2026, in an Elite Group-D Ranji Trophy match at the M.A. Chidambaram stadium. The left-arm orthodox bowler claimed 10 wickets across both innings, taking 4 wickets in the first innings and 6 wickets in the second innings. His second-innings spell proved particularly devastating, with Kishore achieving a hat-trick in the 43rd over by dismissing Lakshya Raichandani, Saurabh Rawat and Aditya Rawat in successive deliveries.
Uttarakhand's batting collapse saw them skittled for 113 all out in 45.4 overs in their second innings, with Ajith Ram claiming four wickets alongside Kishore's six-wicket haul. Speaking about his performance, Kishore reflected on the technical foundation that enabled his success. He credited guidance received during his time with Chennai Super Kings, where MS Dhoni emphasised the importance of bowling from different angles, particularly over the wicket to right-handed batters.
"I think that is something that I learned during my stint with CSK. MS Dhoni was heavy on that. But at that time I didn't have that understanding to know what he was telling. Last two years, I've started embracing it. When bowling from different angles, my ball behaves differently and that is reaping rewards," Kishore said as quoted by The Indian Express.
How MS Dhoni's bowling angles advice shaped Kishore's technique?
The spinner explained that he had not immediately grasped the value of Dhoni's instruction when first receiving it. Over the past two years, however, Kishore began to understand and apply the principle of varying his bowling angles, which fundamentally changed how his deliveries behaved off the pitch. This technical adjustment proved crucial in his recent performances, allowing him to extract greater variation and control from his bowling.
"I think most bowlers should be having that control. Because we don't have freedom we might think we cannot bowl it. I think once you open up, once you're just playing for the team — I'm not doing it for myself — then you will start executing it," Kishore said.
The freedom to explore different bowling variations
Kishore's 10-wicket haul in this match represented a significant performance in the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season. His ability to take wickets consistently across multiple seasons has established him as one of Tamil Nadu's premier spinners. The match victory demonstrated the practical application of technical principles that had been imparted to him during his association with CSK, validating Dhoni's emphasis on bowling versatility and adaptability.
"I think the more I started exploring my game, I got freedom. Like, what can I actually do better? When you asked about setbacks, I was asking myself where can I get better, and that’s when I remembered what MS told me. So it was instinctive. I’m adding small, small puzzles to my bowling," Kishore said.
