The Hindu : Sport : Unbeaten century by Badrinath

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Friday, Nov 24, 2006
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Unbeaten century by Badrinath

Special Correspondent

LEADING FROM THE FRONT: S. Badrinath played a captain's knock, propping up his side after the loss of two quick wickets. — Photo: S. Subramanium

NEW DELHI: It was the kind of day at the end of which both camps looked pleased with their efforts. Tamil Nadu was happy to reach a laboriously compiled 184 for three after recovering from two early blows. Delhi took heart from the fact that it had contained the opposition on a wicket that offered very little to the bowlers.

From the cricketing point of view, the opening day of the Tamil Nadu-Delhi Elite Group Ranji Trophy league match on Thursday was a poor advertisement for domestic cricket. With the Selection Committee chairman Dilip Vengsarkar in attendance, one can expect the `Colonel' to call for improving the quality of pitches for first-class games.

The Kotla pitch

Indeed, it is the nature of this Ferozeshah Kotla pitch — where the bounce is likely to get slower and lower as the match progresses — that compelled the teams to adopt such a defensive approach. Unless there is a dramatic twist, both camps agree the first-innings lead will be the only point of interest in the remainder of this four-day contest.

Tamil Nadu skipper S. Badrinath shone the brightest on an otherwise dull day of cricket. Walking in at 11 for two, Badrinath offered a chance at 37 and survived a couple of optimistic shouts from the Delhi fielders before completing his seventh Ranji Trophy century in fading light.

He guided gritty debutant M. Vijay during their 127-run third-wicket stand and thereafter stayed firm in the company of R. Sathish till bad light forced an early closure.

The Delhi bowlers, with the exception of leg-spinner Chetnya Nanda, stuck to a disciplined line and length. Medium pacers Ashish Nehra and debutant Ishant Sharma not only tasted early success but also kept the batsmen on a tight leash.

Badrinath hit a straight six off left-arm spinner Rahul Sanghvi and smashed 10 boundaries during his 226-ball vigil.

Vijay displayed commendable temperament as he grafted his way to 59. The 22-year-old from Chemplast hit seven boundaries but failed to make the most of a dropped catch when on 51.

The scores: Tamil Nadu — 1st innings: M. Vijay lbw b Bhatia 59, S. Vidyut lbw b Ishant 2, H. Badani c Vijay b Nehra 5, S. Badrinath (batting) 100, R. Sathish (batting) 16; Extras (nb-2) 2. Total (for three wickets in 85.3 overs) 184.

Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-11, 3-138.

Delhi bowling: Ashish Nehra 28-8-44-1, Ishant Sharma 17.3-6-30-1, Chetnya Nanda 18-4-60-1, Rahul Sanghvi 16-3-41-1, Rajat Bhatia 9-5-9-1.

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