Ranji Trophy: Tamil Nadu stutters to 192 for three

February 25, 2015 07:13 pm | Updated February 26, 2015 02:07 am IST - Kolkata

Tamil Nadu launched a languorous batting display to ward off a resolute Maharashtra pace attack on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy semifinals at the Eden Gardens here on Wednesday.

Despite being provided a placid track, Tamil Nadu — electing to bat — was cautious in its approach and ended the day on 192 for three.

Young Vijay Shankar showed the right attitude and dispelled the dreariness of the team’s turgid batting progress with a fine unbeaten 56 and an undefeated 102-run partnership with senior partner Dinesh Karthik (48).

Tamil Nadu captain Abhinav Mukund could not justify his decision to bat as he departed before the innings could take shape. Abhinav, who took 79 balls to score 23 in 118 minutes, departed when he tried to accelerate.

Trying to pull a short-pitched delivery from Maharashtra pacer Anupam Sanklecha, the left-hander could not time it well and ended up hitting the ball to Chirag Khurana at deep square-leg.

M. Vijay, considered a mainstay in Tamil Nadu’s batting, failed to justify his status and struggled against the disciplined bowling of the Maharashtra pacers — Samad Fallah, Domnic Muthuswami, Shrikant Mundhe and Sanklecha.

The discomfiture forced Vijay (28) to nick an outgoing delivery to Maharashtra wicketkeeper and captain Rohit Motwani off Domnic. No. 3 B. Aparajith (20) departed soon, leaving Tamil Nadu at a wobbly 90 for three.

With the team staring at uncertainty, Karthik and Shankar put their shoulders to the wheel to guide Tamil Nadu to safety.

Karthik, who survived two confident caught-behind appeals (on nine and 20), laboured to 48 off 156 balls with eight hits to the fence.

Showing maturity under pressure, Shankar (56 n.o., 97b, 7x4) broke the resolve of the opposition bowlers and laid the foundation for a big total.

“We tried to put pressure by bowling in the right areas. The wicket looked green but did not do much though.

“There was swing all through the day,” said Maharashtra coach David Andrews.

“It would have been nice if we had got two more wickets. The match is quite evenly poised now and we will be looking for some early breaks on Thursday,” said the Australian coach.

The scores: Tamil Nadu – 1st innings: Abhinav Mukund c Khurana b Sanklecha 23, M. Vijay c Motwani b Domnic 28, B. Aparajith c Mundhe b Fallah 20, Dinesh Karthik (batting) 48, Vijay Shankar (batting) 56. Extras (b-2, lb-15): 17; Total (for three wickets in 87 overs): 192.

Fall of wickets: 1-47, 2-63, 3-90.

Maharashtra bowling: Samad Fallah 23-8-48-1, Anupam Sanklecha 17-6-37-1, Domnic Muthuswami 20-3-38-1, Shrikant Mundhe 22-8-40-0, Rahul Tripathi 3-0-7-0, Chirag Khurana 2-0-5-0.

Toss: Tamil Nadu.

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