Ranji Trophy: Indrajith, Washington keep TN afloat

B. Indrajith and Washington Sundar stitched a 157-run partnership to keep Tamil Nadu in the hunt of Mumbai’s first-innings total of 374.

B. Indrajith celebrates his century on Wednesday.

B. Indrajith and Washington Sundar overcame the challenges posed by their India Red team-mate in the Duleep Trophy - left-arm spinner Vijay Gohil - and other Mumbai bowlers as Tamil Nadu staged its second fightback in as many days in the Ranji Trophy Group C encounter.

Thanks to Indrajith (105 n.o., 173b, 12x4) and Washington (69, 91b, 11x4, 1x6), who stitched a 157-run partnership for the fifth wicket, TN was in the hunt of Mumbai's first innings total of 374. Despite losing Washington to a short-ball ploy by Dhawal Kulkarni late in the day, TN ended the day at 239 for five at the MCA Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy ground.

While Indrajith and Gohil were involved in a mammoth 10th-wicket partnership in a league match in Duleep Trophy, Washington and Gohil combined with the ball in the final to seal the title for India Red. On Wednesday, however, when Washington joined Indrajith, Gohil was looking good with the ball.

He snaffled M. Vijay by a loopy delivery that kissed the edge for Aditya Tare to complete a catch on the third attempt behind the wickets. Having thus accounted for the Test opener in his first over, Gohil went on to dismiss Vijay Shankar soon after lunch to leave TN reeling at 69 for four. However, Indrajith and Washington seemed to be on top of the game right away.

Revival

With the left-hander taking a little time to get going, Indrajith took the lead and played a few delightful cover drives and straight drives. Washington soon got into his element, taking on Gohil and left-arm partner Aditya Dhumal. The batsmen rotated the strike impressively, thus forcing both the young spinners off the track while bowling to a left-hand and right-hand combination.

To add to Mumbai's worries, Akash Parkar had an off day with the ball. Despite getting one to jag back in after pitching to leave Abhinav Mukund without an answer in the morning session, the Mumbai bowler struggled with his line and length all through the day. However, it was his unbeaten 33 in the morning that enabled Mumbai's last three wickets to add crucial 60 runs in the morning.

• Tamil Nadu 239 for 5 (Indrajith 105*, Sundar 69; Gohil 2 for 58, Kulkarni 1 for 35) trails Mumbai 374 (Shaw 123, Iyer 57; Shankar 4 for 52, Ashwin 3 for 78) by 135 runs.