Neither Athiraj Shandilya nor M.R. Muthupandi could have chosen a better occasion to make his maiden three-figure score in the TNCA first-division.
Shandilya, a 23-year-old opener playing his fifth season in the city’s premier league, enabled TI Cycles thwart Jolly Rovers with an undefeated 207 (381b, 28x4, 7x6). Both his hundred and double were brought up with sixes.
The eighth-wicket pair of Shandilya and Bilva Prasad (29) batted for 56.1 overs to deny an attack containing Piyush Chawla (three wickets) on a rain-shortened final day of a third-round match. With the first-innings unfinished, the points were shared.
Muthupandi’s 144 (180b, 16x4, 4x6) was at least as significant as Shandilya’s double. The 26-year-old middle-order batsman’s first century in four seasons allowed IOB to surpass Globe Trotters’ first-innings score of 396 for nine decl. He had support from S. Murali (52), K. Bharat Reddy (83), and Robert Fernandez (49 n.o.).
IOB went to the top of the table as a result.
Alwarpet completes win
Alwarpet needed no more than an hour and twenty minutes on the third morning to take six wickets and wrap up an innings win against Indian Bank for eight points. Seamer Garry Anthony Dumenil claimed three.
UFCC (T. Nagar) secured the first-innings lead and five points after dismissing India Pistons for 203, captain R. Srinivasan’s 57, the only notable contribution. Left-arm spinner V. Arun Kumar was UFCC’s most successful bowler with four wickets.
B. Rahul (86) and J. Koushik (81) added 150 for the fourth wicket in 50.1 overs to prevent Aruna from conceding the lead to Grand Slam. Seamer M. Raja and left-arm spinner Rahil Shah split the six wickets that fell.
Vijay and Young Stars had to settle for three points each as well, after wet outfield conditions forced the third day to be abandoned.
The scores (round three, final day):
At CPT-IP: UFCC (T. Nagar) 371 drew with India Pistons 203 in 95.2 overs (R. Srinivasan 57, V. Arun Kumar four for 37). Points: UFCC 5, IP 2.
At MRF-Pachaiyappa’s: Globe Trotters 396 for nine decl. drew with IOB 397 for six in 107.1 overs (S. Murali 52, K. Bharat Reddy 83, M.R. Muthupandi 144, Robert Fernandez 49 n.o.). IOB 5, GT 2.
At Murugappa: Jolly Rovers 543 drew with TI Cycles 334 for eight in 129 overs (Athiraj Shandilya 207 n.o.). JR 3, TI 3.
At RKM-Vivekananda: Grand Slam 440 for seven decl. drew with Aruna 325 for six in 122 overs (B. Rahul 86, J. Koushik 81, Amith Singh R. 43). GS 3, Aruna 3.
At IIT-Chemplast: Indian Bank 120 and 102 in 47.5 overs lost to Alwarpet 316 for one decl. Alwarpet 8, IB 0.
At SRMC (turf): Young Stars 435 drew with Vijay 51 for no loss in 14 overs. YS 3, Vijay 3 .
