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Cricket
A special day for Robin and his men
CHENNAI, JAN. 26. The events at the ICL-Guru Nanak College ground on Saturday brought back memories of the 1995-96 season. It was the year Tamil Nadu defeated Mumbai (in the quarterfinals) and Delhi (semifinals) for the first time while also making the final.
If it was an emphatic 153-run victory against the powerhouse from the West at Tirunelveli then, the margin was as convincing - 139 with a day and a session to spare - in the pre- quarterfinals of the Ranji Trophy this time around. This, after conceding first innings honours.
It was the host's second victory over Mumbai in 16 meetings, and a rather special moment for the battle-scarred Robin Singh, who was the captain on both occasions.
Mumbai was a badly depleted side, hampered by the absence of Sameer Dighe, Vinod Kambli and Nilesh Kulkarni (who had to sit out owing to injury), apart from Sachin Tendulkar and Ajit Agarkar.
Needing 269 with almost two full days after Tamil Nadu folded up for 272 this morning, the inexperienced Mumbai line-up crumbled. Only left-hander Kunal More (39), Amol Muzumdar (28), Rajesh Pawar (18 not out) and Vinayak Mane (12) reached double figures.
Full points to the Tamil Nadu attack, which bowled to an attacking field. Spearhead L. Balaji (three for 38, match figures of six for 63) must have surely impressed the National selection committee members, Sanjay Jagdale and Ashok Malhotra, who witnessed the proceedings for a while.
Robin Singh (three for 12, match haul of five for 51) struck at crucial moments in both innings while speedster M.R. Shrinivas took two wickets.
Tamil Nadu meets the winner of the Delhi-Railways contest in the quarterfinals between February 3 and 7.
Hyderabad through
Host Hyderabad recorded a comfortable 10- wicket win over Himachal Pradesh, which was saved the ignominy of an innings defeat thanks to a fine knock by Nischal Gour (73).
Gambhir scores 214
Despite Gautam Gambhir's 214 (463b, 18x4), Delhi conceded a crucial 102-run lead to Railways on the penultimate day of their pre-quarterfinal at the Karnail Singh Stadium in New Delhi. Resuming at 262 for three, Delhi was bowled out for 395 in reply to Railways' 497.
Gambhir, who was run out after his 692-minute marathon, did not receive any support from the other end. Harvinder Singh claimed three wickets in the first session to peg back Delhi.
Rajasthan in poor shape
Host Rajasthan was in dire straits at 122 for three in its second essay after trailing by 197 against Bengal on the fourth day at the Manasarovar stadium in Jaipur.
Bengal, which resumed at 409 for five, made 519. Subhomoy Das, unbeaten on 99, completed his century before falling for 129 (262b, 21x4). Mediumpacer Sanjeev Sharma was the most successful bowler for the home team, picking four for 84 while spinner Lokesh Jain took three for 93.
Prasad going great guns
R.V.Ch. Prasad's memorable, unbeaten 142 (476m, 20x4) threw the Andhra-Gujarat game wide open at Ahmedabad. Chasing Gujarat's imposing total of 499, Andhra finished the day at 437 for eight, adding 185 today for the loss of just two wickets as Prasad dominated the proceedings.
Andhra was tottering at 269 for eight before young off-spinner H. Watekar and Prasad joined hands to transform the game. Vatekar (61, 1x6, 6x4) and Prasad have added 168 for the ninth wicket so far.
The scores:
At Chennai: Tamil Nadu 182 and 272 in 113.3 overs (S. Sriram 61, J.R. Madanagopal 45, S. Sharath 56, Sairaj Bahutule three for 61) bt Mumbai 186 and 129 in 48.5 overs (L. Balaji three for 38, Robin Singh three for 12).
At Hyderabad: Himachal Pradesh 192 and 238 (Nischal Gour 73, Shivaji Yadav five for 91, Narinderpal Singh three for 52) lost to Hyderabad 403 and 31 for no loss.
At New Delhi: Railways 497 and 27 for one v Delhi 395 (Gautam Gambhir 214, Aakash Chopra 62, Harvinder Singh three for 83, Murali Kartik three for 103).
At Jaipur: Rajasthan 321 and 122 for three v Bengal 518 (Deep Dasgupta 57, Devang Gandhi 146, Rohan Gavaskar 46, Subhomoy Das 129, Sanjeev Sharma four for 84, Lokesh Jain three for 93).
At Ahmedabad: Gujarat 499 v Andhra 437 for eight (Md. Faiq 71, R.V.Ch. Prasad 142 batting, H. Watekar 61 batting, Kalpesh Patel five for 96).
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