CHENNAI: Host Tamil Nadu made a strong start in reply to Baroda’s first innings score of 375 on the second day of the seventh round of the Elite ‘A’ Ranji Trophy match at Salem Cricket Foundation Ground on Friday.
At the close of play, TN was placed at 118 for no loss in 36 overs with openers SR Athish batting on 42 and R Vimal Khumar keeping him company on 66 (113b, 6x4). Earlier, resuming from its overnight score of 247 for five, Baroda added a further 128 runs with skipper Atit Sheth going on to score 109 (241b, 11x4), his fourth First Class century. Sukirt Pandey contributed 84 (271b, 9x4).
Other meaningful contributions came from Ninad Rathva who made 66 and wicket-keeper Akshay More who scored 40. Sukirt and Atit extended their overnight (90*) partnership to 124 runs in 54.2 overs for the sixth wicket.
For TN, 17-year-old budding off-spinner J Hemchudeshan was the pick of the bowlers taking an impressive six wickets for 120 runs. This was his maiden five-wicket haul in second Ranji outing. The remaining four wickets were scalped by skipper R Sai Kishore who took four for 90. In what has been a forgettable season for the host, TN registered its solitary win over Odisha in the previous round.
BRIEF SCORES: Baroda 375 in 141.3 overs (Shivalik Sharma 35, Sukirt Pandey 84, Ninad Rathva 66, Atit Sheth 109, Akshay More 40, J Hemchudeshan 6/120, R Sai Kishore 4/90) vs Tamil Nadu 118/0 in 36 overs (SR Athish 42 batting, R Vimal Khumar 66 batting)