Mahesh does the star turn for Tamil Nadu

If Baba Indrajith was the hero for Tamil Nadu on the second day, it was the turn of Chepauk Super Gillies all-rounder Yo Mahesh to come to the party on Thursday, the fourth day of its Ranji Trophy match against Mumbai in Mumbai. Mahesh struck an unbeaten 103 as TN gained a vital first-innings lead of 76 runs against Mumbai.

At the end of the second day, Tamil Nadu was still 135 runs behind in first innings with five wickets in hand but Indrajith was not finished yet remaining not out on 105 and all hopes for the visitor was on him. 

He did his part alright going on to make 152 but he left Tamil Nadu still needed 35 runs to overtake Mumbai with two wickets in hand. It was anybody’s match, but TN found a savior in Mahesh, who went on to come up with one of his best batting efforts, 103 not out off 216 balls with nine fours and four sixes that not only gave his team the crucial lead but even a solid position to win valuable points on first innings lead. 

For the record, Mumbai made 374 and TN replied with 450 with an absorbing last day’s play left when the home side has to do something out of the ordinary to put some runs on the board and dismiss TN to turn the match its way. However, it did not have a pleasant start to its second innings after losing first innings centurion Prithvi Shaw for just five runs. 

Shreyas Iyer (56 not out) and Ahkil Herwadkar (24 not out) steadied the ship for the host, enabling it to register a tiny lead of nine runs at the end of day’s play. Resuming at the overnight score of 239 for five, Tamil Nadu lost India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin early on the third day and at 244 for six and it was Indrajith, who held one end tight. 

Wicket-keeper batsman N Jagadeesan stayed with Indrajith but when he left at 287 for seven, Mumbai looked all set to take the first innings lead. However, Yo Mahesh, who is better known for his bowling skills, took the role of the savior from Indrajith when he got out caught by Lad off the bowling of Gohil for 152 with 14 fours. The 72-run partnership for the ninth wicket between Mahesh and Rahil Shah (17) sealed the fate of Mumbai. 

And Mahesh got adequate support from last man K Vignesh to complete his century. By the time Vignesh got out, the last-wicket stand was worth 39.