Chennai: A fine spell of bowling from Lakshmipathy Balaji helped Tamil Nadu get a first innings lead of 43 runs over Maharashtra in a Group B Ranji Match being played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai. Balaji finished with figures of 4-28.
Tamil Nadu started the day with the score at 273/9, they could only add three runs to the total before the tenth wicket fall. Maharashtra chasing 276 runs for that decisive first innings lead got off to a horrible start as Balaji removed both openers inside the 11th over.
Karnataka lost two more of their top order batsmen inside fifty runs and were in a deep trouble when Sangram Atitkar (36) and Kedar Jadhav (45). Together the two added 53 runs for the fifth wicket before getting out in quick session.
The partnership of the day came between Rohit Motwani (44) and Shrikant Mundhe (61) as they added 98 runs to the team total past the 200 mark and it looked as if Karnataka will get the lead when the two guys were together.
But some fine bowling from Malolan Rangarajan stopped the charge as he dismissed Mundhe when he was looking very dangerous. Rangarajan finished with figures of 4-55.
Brief Score:
Tamil Nadu: 276 (Mahesh 81, Prasanna 56, Rangarajan 53)
Maharashtra: 233 (Mundhe 61, Balaji 4-28, Rangarajan 4-55)
By Indian Sports News Network