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Tuesday, Dec 04, 2007
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Saurashtra struggles on a rain-interrupted day

Sports Reporter

CHENNAI: It was a day when nature had its way. Overnight 28 for three, Saurashtra ended a rain-interrupted third day’s play at 120 for five in a fourth round match of the Ranji Trophy Super league cricket match at MA Chidambaram Stadium on Monday.

The onus was on Cheteshwer Pujara to guide Saurashtra to safety. The 19-year-old didn’t disappoint one wee bit. Pujara (62, 66b, 9x4) put his head down and played to the demands of the situation.

Talent and temperament, he has them in abundance. An exquisite cover-drive off Yomahesh was top-class. When medium-pacer P. Amarnath pitched one short, Pujara was quick to react and glide it for a boundary between third slip and gully.

Thereafter a superb on-drive off Amarnath suggested he was in for a long haul. However, one moment of madness did him in. Dancing down the track to haul left-arm spinner Ramkumar, who was beginning to get a fair amount of turn, Pujara edged it to the safe hands of Badrinath at slip.

Pujara and left-hander Pathik Mehta added 76 runs for the fourth wicket. Pathik (21, 86b, 1x4) did his best to fend off Ramkumar, left-arm spinner C. Suresh and offie S. Suresh Kumar, who made his debut. Pathik did not last long as he was caught by wicketkeeper K.H. Gopinath attempting a drive off Ramkumar.

W.V. Raman, Tamil Nadu coach, is confident that his team will collect six points, weather permitting. “It (innings win) is difficult, I know, but not impossible. The pitch is wearing, and they are under pressure. We fancy our chances.”

The scores:

Tamil Nadu —1st innings: 531 for two decl.

Saurashtra — 1st innings: K. Vaghela c & b R. Ramkumar 1, S. Jogiyani c K.H. Gopinath b P. Amarnath 0, S. Kotak b Yomahesh 12, C. Pujara c S. Badrinath b R. Ramkumar 62, P. Mehta c K.H. Gopinath b R. Ramkumar 21, J. Shah (batting) 11, R. Jadeja (batting) 2, Extras (b-1, nb-8, w-2) 11; Total (for five wkts. in 41 overs): 120.

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-16, 3-21, 4-97, 5-112.

Tamil Nadu bowling: Yomahesh 11-2-53-1, P. Amarnath 7-4-18-1, R. Ramkumar 14-4-22-3, C. Suresh 4-0-15-0, S. Suresh Kumar 5-0-11-0.

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