CHENNAI: Opener G Ajitesh stole the show for Tamil Nadu with a gritty 79 (185b, 11x4) to guide his team to a wobbly 197 for seven against Tripura on the first day of the third round of the Elite ‘A’ men’s U-23 Col. CK Nayudu Trophy in Agartala on Sunday.

Ajitesh found an able ally in SR Athish who scored 50 (118b, 7x4) and the two added 120 runs for the second wicket. Right-arm medium pacer Abhijit Debbarma took five for 55 in an impressive spell.