Chennai, Jan 30 (.) Hosts Tamil Nadu openers got off to a strong start after bowling
out Baroda for 375, which was largely possible thanks to skippet Atit Seth’s fourth first
class hundred on the second day of the Elite Group A Ranji Trophy match at the Salem
cricket ground in Salem district on Friday.
After offie J Hemchudeshan claimed his maiden fifer, bagging six wickets, Tamil Nadu
started its reply in right earnest and were 118 for no loss at close, with openers
S R Athish (42 batting) and R Vimal Kumar (66 batting) at the crease.
Earlier, resuming at 247 for five, the visitors lost overnight batsmen Sukirt Pandey (84,
271 balls, 9×4), who added just 12 runs on the second morning, after extending their
sixth wicket stand with his skipper by 30 runs to 124 runs in 54.2 overs.
Howver, his partner Ait Seth, resuming at 45, held the innings together and scored his
Ranji hundred, hitting 109 runs in 241 balls with 11 fours. He was ably supported by
wicket-keeper Akshay More, who came in at No.8 and scored 40 to help Baroda
reach a respectable total, as Hemchudeshan ran through the innings.
Skipper and left arm spinner R Sai Kishore shared the spoils claiming four wickets.
In response, the home team started off on a positive and would be keen to build on
the momentum in its quest for the crucial first innings lead.
Brief scores :
Baroda 375 in 141.3 overs (Shivalik Sharma 35, Sukirt Pandey 84, Ninad Rathva 66,
Atit Sheth 109, Akshay More 40, J. Hemchudeshan 6 for 120, R. Sai Kishore 4/90)
vs Tamil Nadu 118/0 in 36 overs (S.R. Athish 42 batting, R. Vimal Khumar 66 batting).
. GV 1750