The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Anirudh, Sashank prop up Hyderabad

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Friday, Nov 26, 2004

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Anirudh, Sashank prop up Hyderabad

By Our Sports Reporter

HYDERRABAD, NOV. 25. Southpaw Anirudh Singh (103, 183 balls, 15x4) could not have timed his second century in Ranji Trophy better for it helped Hyderabad gain some respectability in scoring 231 against Maharashtra in the Elite Group `B' match on the first day at Gymkhana Grounds here on Thursday.

In reply, Maharashtra was four for no loss in two overs.

The start was once again dismal for the home team, after being put in, when Daniel Manohar was trapped lbw by Ranjeet Khind and very soon Hyderabad was struggling at 47 for four in 22nd over.

There was an element of drama when A.T. Rayudu stood his ground after the point fielder latched on to a difficult low slash from the batsman off Anupam Sanklecha.

The dashing batsman felt it was taken on the half-volley but the two umpires Dr. Manjit Singh Mahal and Balwant Sharma had a brief chat before declaring the batsman out.

Then it was the turn of debutant P. Sashank Nag and Anirudh Singh to repair the damage during their 91-run stand for the fifth wicket. The two left-handers showed how to bat on a pitch, which helped the fast bowlers Ranjeet Khind (four for 76) and Anupam Sanklecha (four for 47).

Showing admirable temperament and wonderful stroke selection the Anirudh and Sashank pair put the Hyderabad innings back on the rails with a sensible approach.

What was really pleasing was the way Sashank Nag handled the pressure situation in his debut match. It was during their stand that the Maharashtra bowling was on the backfoot.

Just when Sashank (60, 171 balls, 7x4, 1x5) was looking set for a big knock, he tried to cut a straighter one from left-arm spinner Kiran Adhav to be caught by wicketkeeper Satyajit Satbhai.

At the other end Anirudh, with his flamboyant strokes on the onside, was worth watching.

After his departure, there was nothing much to rave about Hyderabad batting as it folded up for 231.

The scores: Hyderabad — 1st innings: D. Manohar lbw b Ranjeet 11, Sashank Nag c Satyajit b Kiran 60, Shivaji Yadav c Jadhav bt Siddique 2, A.T. Rayudu c Kashinath b Sanklecha 5, N. Arjun Yadav b Sanklecha 2, Anirudh Singh c Satyajit b Sanklecha 103, Ibrahim Khaleel c Kaushik b Ranjeet 18, S.L.V. Raju b Sanklecha 1, Md. Ghouse c Dheeraj b Ranjeet 11, N.P. Singh b Ranjeet 0, Fahad Shahnawaz (not out) 9. Extras: (lb-4, nb-4, w-1) 9. Total: (in 85.3 overs) 231.

Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-19, 3-42, 4-47, 5-138, 6-185, 7-206, 8-211, 9-212.

Maharashtra bowling: Siddique 23-7-55-1, Ranjeet 25.3-8-76-4, Sanklecha 20-4-47-4, Kashinath 9-1-30-0, Kiran 8-3-19-1.

Maharashtra — 1st innings: Dheeraj Jadhav batting 2, Kunal Marathe batting 2. Total: (for no loss) 4.

Hyderabad bowling: N.P. Singh 1-0-2-0, Fahad Shahnawaz 1-0-2-0.

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