Ranji final: First day, flop show for hosts

[1]

The wicket column against the bowler’s analysis in the electronic scoreboard did not function but it hardly mattered.

Rajasthan openers, Aakash Chopra (86, 373m, 273b, 9x4) and Vineet Saxena (120, 373m, 269b, 16x4) made the most of a slow wicket after winning the toss on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy final to put Rajasthan in a position of immense strength. The visitors were 221 without loss at stumps.

In spite of the unresponsive wicket, Tamil Nadu did well in the first two sessions to restrict run flow but the bowlers failed to sustain the energy in the final session.

The second new ball proved productive for Saxena who helped himself to four boundaries to increase the tempo against lengthening shadows even as Tamil Nadu tried desperately for a wicket.

The wicket for the most important domestic fixture was a poor advertisement, failing to play anywhere close to its appearance.

Bowlers toiled all day without any meaningful response. The carry in the first six overs was encouraging even though there was little in terms of movement off the track.

Chopra was hit below the left eye by Kaushik and it was one of the rare occurrences where the batsmen were foiled during the day.

Chopra carried on after receiving medical attention on field. The bowling was steady with Balaji stringing three successive maidens after conceding 17 runs off the first over.

Kaushik was tight but was guilty of not making the batsman play enough of the front foot. The prime test for the batsmen was to beat the heat and be aware of the ball that stopped on the bat. The duo did that to perfection to bring the 50 in 100 minutes and 100 in 186 minutes.

There was a hint of slow turn and Aushik Srinivas started well by giving the ball air. He also beat the outside once but quickly settled to a lower trajectory to make the batsmen’s job easier.

The best chance to earn a wicket came after the lunch break where Saxena went for 44 balls without a run but he released the pressure with two lofted drives off Aushik.

Only the gentle leg spin from Abhinav Mukund and Shri Vasudeva Das created a few doubts in the batsmen.

Chopra was content grinding the attack while Saxena took his chances with caution. The ball change (after 35 overs) did not help the bowlers either. Chopra was fluent with his square drives while Saxena grew strong down the wicket.

Yo Mahesh coming round the wicket to gain the angle was the only strategy that was out of the box but the openers nullified that as well by playing the waiting game.

Abhinav who returned to the dressing room after hurting his right hip sliding into a concrete slab was later cleared by the team doctor as fit to bat.

The team doctor also confirmed that Vasudeva Das, who was away from the field owing to back spasms, will be fit to bat. Both teams went in unchanged.

On-song ‘Sax’ena makes full use of slow Chepauk wicket

With experience comes discipline and Vineet Saxena brought out all necessary ingredients to survive and succeed on a slow wicket.

For a batsman who has not been able to convert some of his starts this season the veteran picked the right occasion to register a three figure knock.

“I got 32 and 58 against Haryana on a green-top in Lahli in the semifinal, but this was a bigger knock because it has come in a Ranji Trophy final,” said Saxena, who is playing his 13th season.

The chemistry Saxena shares with Aakash Chopra has proved beneficial for the side. “We discuss quite a few things with each other.

Whenever I do something wrong, he comes up quickly and gives me advice, which helps,” added Saxena.

It was not the easiest wicket for batsmen to accumulate runs and Saxena stuck to the task in the post lunch session when the TN bowlers exercised good control.

“We made only 20 runs in 15 overs. We were unable to hit on the rise on this track, it was a matter of occupying the crease and the runs eventually came,” explained Saxena.

Chopra continuing even after being hit near the eye drew praise from Saxena. “I was impressed by his guts and class. Aakash played very well, it was his decision to stay on and bat after being injured.”

The centurion however wished not to comment on the slow wicket and the adverse effect it was having on the contest.