Ranji Trophy | Batters drive home Tamil Nadu’s upper hand against Saurashtra

Reliable hand: Indrajith as soon as once more proved his mettle.
| Photo Credit: M. PERIASAMY

Half-centuries from B. Indrajith (80), M. Boopathi Vaishna Kumar (65), and R. Sai Kishore (60) ensured Tamil Nadu moved into a powerful place with a 117-run lead against Saurashtra on the finish of day two of the Ranji Trophy quarterfinals right here on the Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science floor on Saturday. 

At stumps, TN completed on 300 for six with Vijay Shankar and S. Mohammed Ali on the crease.

Skipper Sai Kishore – who walked in as a nightwatchman on day one – confirmed his batting prowess to make sure his aspect began the day properly. The left-handed batter regarded strong in defence and was additionally adept at utilizing the lengthy deal with, hitting clear sixes by means of the leg aspect.

Saurashtra had a gap within the morning session when left-arm spinner Parth Bhut eliminated N. Jagadeesan and Pradosh Ranjan Paul. But Sai Kishore and Indrajith steadied issues until lunch and stored the customer from getting a foot in.

Indrajith confirmed once more why he’s such an important cog in TN’s batting line-up, taking part in a flawless knock when the match was evenly poised at 134 for 4. He had good help from Boopathi, and the right-left combo ensured the bowlers couldn’t settle right into a rhythm and helped the home staff take the lead earlier than tea.

Both batters rapidly upped the ante within the last session, scoring boundaries at will. Indrajith, who took 79 balls for his first boundary, switched gears seamlessly by stepping out to hit down the bottom or utilizing the depth of the crease to play his trademark late cuts against the spinners.

Boopathi, too, grew in confidence and punished the bowlers each time they pitched it brief, utilizing the minimize pictures successfully to convey up his second half-century of the season. 

Though each batters have been dismissed against the run of play, the duo’s 119-run partnership for the fifth wicket had by then put TN within the driver’s seat.

The scores:  Saurashtra – 1st innings: 183.

Tamil Nadu – 1st innings: R. Vimal Khumar b Jani 5, N. Jagadeesan lbw b Bhut 37, R. Sai Kishore c Desai b Unadkat 60, Pradosh Ranjan Paul b Bhut 13, B. Indrajith c&b Dharmendrasinh 80, M. Boopathi Vaishna Kumar b Yuvrajsinh 65, Vijay Shankar (batting) 14, Mohammed Ali (batting) 17, Extras (b-6, lb-3): 9; Total (for six wkts in 100 overs): 300.

Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-63, 3-85, 4-134, 5-253, 6-267.

Saurashtra bowling: Unadkat 16-2-45-1, Jani 9-3-14-1, Dharmendrasinh 31-6-79-1, Yuvrajsinh 16-0-77-1, Bhut 28-6-76-2.