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Tamil Nadu in command

Sports Reporter

— Photo: K.V. Srinivasan

MAKING IT COUNT: Shri Vasudeva Das made the most of an early chance to score his first century at this level.

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu is in a commanding position against Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy Super league match.

On day two of the fourth round match at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday, Tamil Nadu declared at a mammoth 531 for two and then dismissed the top three Saurashtra batsmen with only 28 on the board before bad light and a light drizzle ended the day’s play.

The visitor is still 354 behind to avoid follow-on.

Tamil Nadu couldn’t have asked for a better day as everything went according to script. Vijay’s first double century (230 not out, 443b, 21x4, 7x6) and his highest score at this level, was a masterly knock. He seemed comfortable against all the bowlers. Vijay reached 150 with a boundary between gully and point off Sandip Maniar.

Badrinath’s knock

In between, Badrinath strutted his stuff. The Tamil Nadu captain showed eagerness to score quick runs. He clipped left-arm spinner Rakesh Dhruv over mid-off for a boundary and then hoisted the same bowler for a six; a fine straight drive off medium-pacer Sandip Jobenputra was one for the connoisseurs.

Badrinath (61, 82b, 6x4, 1x6) was unfortunate not to be a part of the run-fest as he was caught by Jobenputra at long-off trying to hit Dhruv out of the park.

But Vijay went on. Though he was hardly troubled during his knock, the 23-year-old seemed to struggle to get to 200.

He spent 18 balls on 199 before finally picking up a two off Dhruv.

K. Shri Vasudeva Das (103 not out, 114b, 13x4, 1x6) was an apt foil for Vijay. Slow to get off the block, the left-hander got into his groove once he began to find his bearings.

On 36, however, he edged a Jobenputra out-swinger but wicket-keeper Sagar Jogiyani fluffed it. Barring the blemish, the 22-year-old played numerous pleasing strokes to get to his maiden century at this level.

The scores:

Tamil Nadu—1st innings: A. Mukund c Makwana b Maniar 120, M. Vijay 230 (not out), S. Badrinath c Jobenputra b Dhruv 61, K. Shri Vasudeva Das 103 (not out), Extras (b-7, lb-4, nb-4, w-2) 17; Total (for two wickets decl., in 151 overs): 531.

Fall of wickets: 1-256, 2-363.

Saurashtra bowling: Jobenputra 23-3-59-0, Maniar 18-3-67-1; Dhruv 34-3-121-1; Jadeja 45-7-136-0, Makwana 20-3-77-0, Pujara 2-0-8-0, Kotak 3-0-10-0, Shah 4-0-22-0, Mehta 2-0-20-0.

Saurashtra—1st innings: K. Vaghela c & b Ramkumar 1, S. Jogiyani c Gopinath b Amarnath 0, S. Kotak b Yomahesh 12, C. Pujara (batting) 9, P. Mehta (batting) 0, Extras (nb-5, w-1): 6. Total (for three wickets in 13 overs): 28.

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-16, 3-21.

Tamil Nadu bowling: Yomahesh 7-2-28-1, Amarnath 4-4-0-1, Ramkumar 2-2-0-1.

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