A steady drizzle on Thursday prolonged the wait of Tamil Nadu’s overnight batsmen Baba Aparajith and N. Jagadeesan as they nursed ambitions of securing the first innings lead.
With less than 100 runs required for TN to gain the crucial lead, the third day’s play of its Group B Ranji Trophy clash against Andhra at the CSR Sarma College ground here was washed out without a ball being bowled. The final call was taken at 3 pm.
Chasing 217 for the first innings lead, TN was 122 for three when bad light stopped play on Wednesday. Sitting on two points from as many games, it at least needs three points from this fixture.
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Incidentally, TN went through a similar situation in its opening match against Madhya Pradesh at Dindigul, when third day’s play was lost to rain.
At the end of the second day’s play, Aparajith had said, “We are not going to take things easy. We will play to the merit of the ball, adapting to the situation without any pre-conceived notions.”
The rain interruption left TN skipper Baba Indrajith disappointed. “Had the game been played today (Thursday), most probably we would have taken the lead. There would have been an opportunity to go for an outright victory as well,” he said.
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Andhra skipper B. Sumanth is confident of bowling out TN without conceding first innings advantage on the final day.
“Our bowlers have done very well overall and I am confident that they will deliver,” he said. Both the captains are keeping their fingers crossed given the uncertain weather.
Brief scores: 1st innings; Andhra 216; Tamil Nadu 122/3 B Aparajith 27 not out; Girinath 1/10, K Raman 1/38.
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