Resolute batting helped Tamil Nadu salvage a draw against Punjab in the Ranji Trophy match at the PCA Stadium here on Monday.
Resuming at 166 for three, the visitors thrived on some good work by skipper B. Indrajith, Dinesh Karhik and Vijay Shankar to deny a desperate Punjab an outright victory by finishing at 383 for six.
The efforts of the home team were met with determined resistance by Indrajith (93, 196b, 10x4) and a disciplined Karthik (74, 174b, 8x4), who played to the situation, eschewing his flair for strokeplay. Later, Vijay Shankar’s unbeaten 51 (80b, 5x4) ensured TN did not slip in the afternoon.
Enjoying responsibility
Indrajith’s innings was cut short when Karthik’s straight drive was deflected on to the stumps. “I am disappointed at missing the century but we were essentially playing for pride. I have enjoyed the responsibilities of captaincy and I am sure the next season would be different. We are in the process of building the team and have learnt a lot in the season so far,” observed Indrajith.
“There was something for the bowlers on the first day and the ball was seaming around. But we need to counter such challenges and conditions,” added Indrajith, praising his batsmen for the improved performance on the final day.
“We would have been happy with a victory,” said Punjab skipper Mandeep Singh. “I don’t want to take away any credit from the Tamil Nadu batsmen but the pitch had eased out a lot today. Siddharth (Kaul) would have made the difference in this match.
“He wanted to play. Our bowlers did well on this surface. Baltej (Singh) was unlucky in his seven-over spell this morning but I must say TN batted better in the second innings.”
Shubman Gill was named man-of-the-match for his 268.
The scores:
Tamil Nadu — 1st innings: 215.
Punjab — 1st innings: 479.
Tamil Nadu – 2nd innings: Abhinav Mukund c Jiwanjot b Sandeep 74, N. Jagadeesan c Gupta b Yuvraj 50, B. Aparajith lbw b Yuvraj 0, B. Indrajith run out 93, R. Sai Kishore lbw b Abhishek 9, Dinesh Karthik c Baltej b Sandeep 74, Vijay Shankar (not out) 51, Shahrukh Khan (not out) 11; Extras (b-8, lb-13): 21; Total (for six wkts. in 121 overs): 383.
Fall of wickets: 1-91, 2-91, 3-158, 4-189, 5-261, 6-362.
Punjab bowling: Gony 19-6-44-0, Baltej 18-5-36-0, Sandeep 24-4-92-2, Abhishek 31-2-84-1, Mann 20-0-77-0, Yuvraj 9-1-29-2 .
