On the final day, with chances of taking the first innings lead slim for either team, it was Tamil Nadu skipper B. Indrajith who shone brightly with a masterful unbeaten century (103 n.o., 184b, 13x4, 1x6).
Needing 394 on the final day to take the lead, Tamil Nadu made 236 for four when rain interrupted play in the last session with both teams sharing a point each.
Walking in at 51 for two — after TN had lost two quick wickets —Indrajith looked in control from the start and along with his twin Aparajith, added 50 runs in quick time to ensure the host team went to lunch without further damage.
Indrajith ton lights up final day
Indrajith started off his innings in style with a flick through the mid-wicket off pacer Avesh Khan. He was able to find the boundaries at will and was comfortable against spin and pace.
The 24-year old used his feet well against left-arm spinner Ankit Sharma to convert good balls into half-volleys. He was prolific against Avesh Khan who had earlier bowled a fiery spell in the second session to first go past Aparajith’s defences before bowling Vijay Shankar with a beautiful yorker off the very next ball, only to be called for a no-ball.
Indrajith, meanwhile, continued playing some beautiful shots, including two consecutive boundaries off Ishwar Pandey, first a flick and then an on drive- the best shot of the day — to move to 80.
Post-tea, Indrajith edged closer to his century with two fine sweeps off leg-spinner Mihir Hirwani before stepping out, when on 96, to hammer one over the mid-wicket fence to reach the three-figure mark in style.
Solid start
Earlier, after incessant rains washed out day three, the final day of play started under bright sunshine with Abhinav Mukund and M. Vijay starting off solidly against the MP pacers courtesy a 43-run stand.
Vijay looked at ease starting with a stylish flick off Ishwar Pandey to get going. He then hit Khan for two identical boundaries off the backfoot through the square region on the off-side before the pacer had Vijay edging one to the keeper.
Brief Scores
At Dindigul: Madhya Pradesh 393 drew with Tamil Nadu 236 for four in 77.4 overs (B. Indrajith 103 n.o., B. Aparajith 31, B. Anirudh 28 n.o., Abhinav Mukund 28). TN 1, MP 1 .
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