Date:24/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/24/stories/2007112463272200.htm

Sport

Classy knock by Abhinav

Special Correspondent

Puts Tamil Nadu in a position of strength

— Photo: K. Pichumani

IN ELITE CLUB: Abhinav Mukund displayed rare maturity as he became the seventh Tamil Nadu batsman to score a century on Ranji debut.

CHENNAI: Abhinav Mukund’s classy 108 on Ranji Trophy debut guided Tamil Nadu to a position of strength before his dismissal on the stroke of tea and two wickets in the final session allowed Karnataka to redress the balance on day one of the third round Super League match.

Having elected to bat on a good batting wicket at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium here, Tamil Nadu scored 289 for five in 90 overs on Friday. Skipper S. Badrinath finished unbeaten on a hard-fought 93 (212b, 7x4, 2x6). With him was debutant wicketkeeper K.H. Gopinath (3).

The 17-year-old Abhinav, who became the seventh Tamil Nadu batsman to score a century on Ranji debut, displayed rare maturity. He hardly put a foot wrong in his 266-minute stay, which commenced in the first over.

Early strike

R. Vinay Kumar trapped S. Anirudha leg-before with his second ball to leave Tamil Nadu on zero for one. Abhinav then added 67 with M. Vijay (32) before the opener was caught behind off a loose drive outside off-stump.

Vijay had looked in good touch, driving B. Akhil straight for four and pulling the medium-pacer for six. But, a lapse in concentration against the persevering N.C. Aiyappa cost him his wicket.

Abhinav and Badrinath put on 139 in 239 balls for the third wicket, taking Tamil Nadu past 200. Badrinath didn’t start as fluently as Abhinav, but he battled through the period. After settling, he played a glorious square-drive. The cover-drive was Abhinav’s choice of expression — as many of seven of the left-hander’s 13 fours were timed sweetly and directed through the covers.

Abhinav’s 176-ball innings featured decisive footwork and crisp ball-striking. It was perhaps fitting that he was run out, and not claimed by a bowler — so sound had he looked. His exit allowed Karnataka a toe in the door. Sunil Joshi then had Vasudeva Das caught sharply at short-leg for a wicket against the run of play.

R. Srinivasan (27) added 59 with Badrinath before he fell to the second new ball. Aiyappa forced Srinivasan to mis-hit a pull and Vinay Kumar completed the catch. Saturday’s first session will be crucial.

The scores:

Tamil Nadu — 1st innings: S. Anirudha lbw b Vinay Kumar 0, M. Vijay c Naidu b Aiyappa 32, Abhinav Mukund (run out) 108, S. Badrinath (batting) 93, K. Shri Vasudeva Das c Shinde b Joshi 12, R. Srinivasan c Vinay Kumar b Aiyappa 27, K.H. Gopinath (batting) 3; Extras (b-7, lb-4, nb-2, w-1): 14; Total (for five wkts. in 90 overs): 289.

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-67, 3-206, 4-223, 5-282.

Karnataka bowling: Vinay Kumar 19-6-37-1, Aiyappa 15-1-52-2, Akhil 12-2-43-0, Joshi 22-6-67-1, Appanna 13-0-51-0, Raghu 9-1-28-0.