Even though Tamil Nadu managed a first innings lead of 62 runs, its progress to the quarterfinals depended on an outright win, which looks difficult after Madhya Pradesh ended the third day’s play on 142 for one in the sixth round, Group C match here on Sunday.
Rajat Patidar (81 not out) and Shubham Sharma (41 not out) stitched an unbeaten 105-run stand for the second wicket, leading by 80 runs.
The only awry moment in the partnership was Patidar’s mistimed pull off Vijay Shankar. But the top-edge cleared the fence; beyond the fine leg’s reach.
His consecutive fours off left-arm spinner Sai Kishore — a deft touch to the third man boundary, a square cut; a sweep between deep square leg and deep midwicket taking on Malolan Rangarajan were a delight.
Earlier, Madhya Pradesh lost opener Aditya Shrivastava early — he was caught at second slip off K. Vignesh.
Ranji Trophy: Thakur, Kulkarni run through Andhra
Tamil Nadu ended its first innings on 326. Jagadeesan departed after securing his second first-class century (101), bowled by Avesh Khan.
Yo Mahesh got to his second first-class century too and remained unbeaten on 103.
Spinners were introduced after 21 overs. Mihir Hirwani and Ankit Sharma shared a spell, but it didn’t make any difference to the Tamil Nadu batsmen. They kept stealing boundaries at regular intervals. After M. Mohammed swept Sharma to long leg for a boundary, Yo Mahesh reverse swept Hirwani for a four in the next over.
At lunch, Tamil Nadu were on 300 for eight. They didn’t last long. Sai Kishore was beaten and drawn out of his crease (stumped off Hirwani) and K. Vignesh was out leg-before to Ankit.
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