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Combined Districts loses its way after solid start

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Half-centuries from X. Thalaivan Sargunam and P. Shijit Chandran helped Combined Districts build a healthy base for much of Monday, day one of the three-day cricket match against City for the C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer Shield, before a post-tea batting stutter redressed the balance of power.

Having won the toss on a CPT-IP track that did the bowlers few favours, Districts proceeded to 194 for three by the 74th over. But three wickets in the space of 7.1 overs saw the side slide to 219 for six. P. Sakthi struck some brave blows in his unbeaten 26, as Districts ended on 263 for seven from 94 overs.

City off-spinner R. Ashwin shouldered a large portion of the workload, bowling more than a third of Monday’s overs to finish with three for 84. Left-arm spinner Rahil Shah, who replaced the injured R. Ramkumar, scalped two, as did seamer L. Vignesh.

Typically dogged

Thalaivan Sargunam’s 67, which spanned three-and-a-half hours, was a typically dogged effort. A hard, flat, straight hit for six off Ashwin was the standout shot, but the opener’s unobtrusive method of turning the ball to the on-side fed the innings.

Thalaivan put on 103 for the second wicket with Shijit (51) and 58 for the third wicket with E. Suresh (45) before shuffling too far across, exposing his leg-stump, which Vignesh uprooted.

Shijit’s 91-ball knock (6x4) was easy on the eye. The diminutive 22-year-old stroked the ball sweetly, but a clever bit of bowling and a touch of misfortune ended his stay.

Rahil Shah, who had kept a steady length around off-stump, tossed one up a shade wider.

The uppish drive ricocheted off Abhinav Mukund at silly point for Ashwin to complete the catch at extra cover.

Shah also claimed Suresh after tea, triggering the collapse by forcing the solid right-hander to edge to wicketkeeper K.H. Gopinath a delivery pushed through from over the wicket.

Ashwin deceived R. Srinivasan in trajectory before accounting for captain V. Subramania Siva and wicketkeeper-batsman Petson Mathews.

The scores: Combined Districts 263 for seven in 94 overs (X. Thalaivan Sargunam 67, P. Shijit Chandran 51, E. Suresh 45) vs. City.

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