The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Hyderabad stays in Plate Group

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Hyderabad stays in Plate Group

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: Hyderabad stays in the Plate Group of the Ranji Trophy for one more season. This despite denying Madhya Pradesh the first innings lead as the four-day Ranji Trophy Plate Group ‘A' match ended in a draw at the Gymkhana Grounds here on Saturday.

With only 38.2 overs and 155 minutes of play possible today due to a wet outfield, the only point of interest was whether Madhya Pradesh would get the lead or not. But, that was not to be. Thanks to a good knock from the diminutive Ahmed Quadri (68, 102b, 8x4, 2x6), the home team finished at 286 for six when play was finally called off after the fifth mandatory over.

One point each

However, since more than 90 overs were lost due to various reasons, even though the match ended without the first innings lead being decided, the rules specified one point each for both the teams.

With Tripura recording an outright win against Goa in Goa earlier today, Madhya Pradesh breathed easy and was pleased with the end-result.

At the end of final round from Group A, Rajasthan (18 points) and Madhya Pradesh (16 pts) qualified for the knockout phase. Hyderabad, Tripura, Goa and Jharkhand will continue to be in the Plate Group in the next season.

Hyderabad coach M.V. Sridhar said the season end was better compared to the disastrous start when the team was bowled out for 21 against Rajasthan. “We have the batting strength and it is time we look for two good bowlers — a pacer and a quality spinner — to win matches. Merely taking the lead will not help the team if they are keen to come back into the Elite Group,” he said after the match.

The scores: Madhya Pradesh — 1st innings: 422 for four decl.

Hyderabad — 1st innings: A. Reddy b Amit Sharma 11, Ravi Teja c Abbas Ali b J. Saxena 32, Shashank Nag c Anandrajan b T.P. Sudhindhra 1, G. Vihari c N. Ojha b Ankit Sharma 81, B. Sandeep b Anandrajan 30, A. Quadri c Mishra b Abbas Ali 68, I. Khaleel (not out) 34, Paramveer Singh (not out) 16; Extras (b-6, lb-2, nb-5): 13; Total (for six wkts. in 95 overs): 286.

Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-16, 3-94, 4-159, 5-177, 6-265.

Madhya Pradesh bowling: Sudhindra 13-3-32-1, Amit Sharma 17-2-48-1, Anandrajan 12-2-46-1, Ankit Sharma 24-5-60-1, Jalaj Saxena 25-5-79-1, Abbas Ali 4-0-13-1 .

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