[1]The day dawned gloomy and overcast and remained that way throughout. The result being that the first day of the Ranji Trophy Group A match between Hyderabad and Madhya Pradesh at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium was a stop-start affair, and the visitors bore the brunt of the constant interruptions. After losing two early wickets, V.V.S. Laxman and G.H. Vihari rescued their side as Hyderabad ended a curtailed day on 159 for 2.
Hyderabad won the toss, elected to bat and almost instantly got off to the worst possible start imaginable. Openers Ravi Teja and Akshat Reddy were out after making 2 each, the total reading 22 for 2.
Then, skipper Laxman joined Vihari and helped steady both the innings and Vihari’s nerves. From playing streaky shots, Vihari soon came into his own and was often seen pressing forward with confidence.
The first interruption came 12 minutes before lunch when the umpires decided the light was not fit for play. Upon resumption, only 20 minutes of play was possible as the umpires took the players off yet again.
After the second interruption Laxman was at his silken best, and, complemented by the young and exciting talent of Vihari, Hyderabad began rebuilding lost initiative with a vengeance.
Defence made way for offence and soon, deliveries that was earlier getting blocked were now getting dispatched into the outfield. By the time the light failed for the final time in the day, a few minutes before tea, Vihari was unbeaten on 76 off 176 deliveries, including seven fours while the Very Very Special Laxman stroked a magnificent 70 not out, off just 119 deliveries, with eight fours and one six.
When Saturday dawns, Madhya Pradesh will be hoping for the gloom to lift, both off the field as well as their brows.
Brief scores: Hyderabad 159 for 2 (G. H. Vihari batting 76, VVS Laxman batting 70) vs Madhya Pradesh.
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/vvslaxman2jpgcropdisplayjpg-821