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Abhinav, Vijay score centuries

Sports Reporter

— Photo: K.V. Srinivasan

THE CENTURIONS: Tamil Nadu’s M. Vijay and Abhinav Mukund dominated the Saurashtra bowling on the opening day.

CHENNAI: A double-century stand for the opening wicket between Abhinav Mukund (120) and M. Vijay (129 batting) enabled Tamil Nadu end day one against Saurashtra at 262 for one in a fourth round cricket match of the Ranji Trophy super league at the M. Chidambaram Stadium here on Saturday.

On a track that had little for the bowlers — it is believed that it will assist turn as the match progresses; “a typical Chepauk pitch” as some would say — the two had a field day. Barring left-arm medium-pacer Sandip Jobenputra, who extracted a bit of movement and pace, the rest hardly did anything to warrant attention.

Brilliant batting

While Vijay took a while to settle down, Abhinav eased into his role pretty quickly.

The 17-year-old picked the line and length of the medium-pacers Jobenputra and Sandip Maniar well and was as elegant and stylish as any left-hander on show in the domestic circuit.

Vijay, the highest run-getter for Tamil Nadu last season, did not grind his runs; instead he took the attack to the opposition.

Once the spinners came on to the scene, it was Vijay who took his chances and succeeded. The third century of his career and first this season came at a stage when his team needed it badly.

On this day, he turned out to be more dominating.

Seldom did Vijay appear tentative against the spinners unlike his opening partner. However, both raced to their centuries in style; Vijay clobbered left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja over long-on for a six, while Abhinav pierced the infield with a cover-drive off left-armer Rakesh Dhruv.

Attractive

Vijay’s unbeaten and attractive 129 (270b) was studded with 13 well-constructed boundaries and four hits over the ropes.

Abhinav, who scored a century on his debut, returned to a lot of cheers from the dressing room for his fine 120 (271b, 13x4, 1x6).

He was caught slashing straight into the hands of Makwana at gully off Maniar in the penultimate over of the day.

Missed chance

Vijay had a reprieve at 89 when he was dropped by Maniar on his follow-through.

In a bid to achieve a breakthrough, Saurashtra used part-timers such as Pujara, Kotak and Jaydev Shah. However, nothing went its way.

The scores:

Tamil Nadu — 1st innings: A. Mukund c K. Makwana b S. Maniar 120, M. Vijay (batting) 129, S. Badrinath (batting) 4, Extras (b-1, lb-2, nb-4, w-2): 9; Total (one wkt., 90 overs): 262.

Fall of wicket: 1-256.

Saurashtra bowling: Jobenputra 12-1-30-0, Maniar 13-3-44-1, Dhruv 16-2-33-0, R. Jadeja 29-5-73-0, Makwana 14-1-58-0, Pujara 1-0-4-0, Kotak 3-0-10-0, Shah 2-0-7-0.

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