Jan. 6: The over-rated Tamil Nadu batting order failed to rise to the occasion as Rajasthan advanced to the Ranji Trophy final by virtue of their first innings lead. The hosts were rewarded well for a disciplined effort in the field.
The equation was straightforward for the visitors — who were 190/3 on Wednesday — they were required to make 272 more the final day with at least one wicket in hand but barring S. Badrinath, who made an unbeaten 175 (605m, 381b, 20x4) waging a valiant battle. TN were bowled out for 385.
Having lost a wicket in each session on the third day, Tamil Nadu’s primary task was to build a huge partnership, but lack of temperament and poor shot selection ensured Badri never found a stable partner. Full credit to the Rajasthan bowlers who toiled all day and never gave away easy runs.
The efforts of Deepak Chahar and Sumit Mathur deserve special mention, in keeping things tight they ensured the visitors never got ahead of the run rate.
K. Shri Vasudevadas and Badri started convincingly with the former playing a few pleasing drives. Having negotiated the old ball well, Vasu chose to go hard at the new ball when Pankaj Singh pitched wide outside the off-stump, but was only successful in dragging the ball on to the stumps.
Brief scores: Rajasthan 552/7 decl. d/w Tamil Nadu 385 (Abhinav Mukund 47, S. Badrinath not out 175; Sumit Mathur 2/84, Vivek Yadav 4/87) & 2/0; Rajasthan advanced on first innings lead.