Ranji Trophy 2018-19: Kaushik Gandhi, Abhinav Mukund lay strong foundation for Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is poised to take the first innings lead in its contest against Andhra.

Sprightly knock: Opener Abhinav Mukund (in picture) featured in a 70-run partnership with Kaushik Gandhi for the first wicket.

With an eye on the first-innings lead, Tamil Nadu made steady progress against Andhra on the second day of its Group B Ranji Trophy clash at the CSR Sarma College grounds here on Wednesday. Tamil Nadu was 122 for three at stumps, trailing its opponent by 94.

The foundation was laid by openers Kaushik Gandhi and the in-form Abhinav Mukund; the two provided a good start to the innings, putting on 70 together. After a few edges that raced to the fence, the batsmen found their feet and started timing the ball nicely. Besides hitting boundaries, they also ran the quick singles to take the team to 53 for no loss at lunch.

Partnership broken

Andhra bowlers came back strongly in the second session, troubling the opposition batsmen with their probing length. Ayyappa finally broke the burgeoning partnership, trapping Abhinav leg-before. Kaushik followed quickly, caught by wicketkeeper Siva Charan off Girinath Reddy, with the score at 80 in the 31st over.

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Skipper Indrajith joined his twin brother Aparajith in the middle. The duo adopted a cautious approach, the next 10 overs yielding just 13 runs. However, Karthik Raman struck in the final over before tea when he had Indrajith edging one to Siva Charan.

Bad light halts play

In the post-tea session, Aparajith, whose form has been scratchy this season, tried to accelerate the scoring rate in the company of Jagadeesan, the centurion in the previous match against Hyderabad. Bad light halted their march with about an hour’s play still left for the day.

Girinath Reddy top-scored for Andhra with 86. Photo: Srinivas Kommuri

 

Earlier, TN dismissed Andhra — overnight 198 for eight — for 216. Girinath (86 not out) fended off the hat-trick ball, the first of the day, bowled by Sai Kishore. The left-arm spinner, however, bowled Ayyappa in his next over before Natarajan picked up the final wicket. Sai Kishore and Natarajan scalped three wickets apiece.

• Tamil Nadu 122 for 3 (Kaushik 38, Abhinav 31) trails Andhra 216 (Girinath Reddy 86 n.o., Sai Krishna 58, Mohammed 4 for 70, Sai Kishore 3 for 29, Natarajan 3 for 36) by 94 runs.