Date:07/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/07/stories/2008110761071800.htm

Sport - Cricket

Hyderabad gains three points

Special Correspondent

CUTTACK: Hyderabad garnered three points off its drawn Ranji Trophy Elite group ‘A’ match against Orissa, thanks to its 27-run first innings lead, to launch its National championship campaign on a positive note here at the Barabati Stadium on Thursday.

Ravaged by an exodus of players to a rebel tournament, Hyderabad just about escaped relegation last season and its effort to rebuild the side this season looks to be on course.

The visiting side, which was let down by brittle batting last season, seems to have found the batsmen who could provide stability in the middle-order this time around.

Among runs

Hyderabad batsmen, with the exception of opener T. Suman, were among runs in the second innings. This should bode well for the side as it will take on Delhi next at home.

D. Ravi Teja scored an attractive 42 (157m, 110b, 5x4) while debutant D. Rushi Raj compiled a fine 56 (204m, 137b, 5x4), his maiden half-century.

S. Anoop Pai’s disciplined 53 (151m, 126b, 6x4) got him the second 50 of the match. Skipper N. Arjun Yadav scored a flamboyant 41 (116m, 110b, 6x4, 1x6). When play was called off, wicketkeeper Abhinav Kumar was on 24 and birthday boy Amol Shinde on 31.

A disappointed Orissa captain, Shib Sundar Das, blamed poor fielding on the opening day as the reason for his team’s failure to gain the lead. Orissa coach Venkatapathy Raju said the 53-run partnership Hyderabad built for the eighth wicket between Abhinav Kumar and Pragyan Ojha made the difference in the final outcome.

Orissa, which earned just a point, will travel to Rajkot to play Saurashtra next.

The scores: Hyderabad — 1st innings: 296.

Orissa — 1st innings: 269.

Hyderabad — 2nd innings: T. Suman lbw b D. Mohanty 0, D. Ravi Teja c H. Das b D. Mohanty 42, D. Rushi Raj c N. Behera b P. Das 56, S. Anoop Pai c R. Mohanty b Sehgal 53, N. Arjun Yadav b Sehgal 41, Abhinav Kumar (not out) 24, Amol Shinde (not out) 31; Extras: (b-9, nb-7) 16; Total: (for five wkt. in 105 overs) 263.

Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-87, 3-130, 4-196, 5-213.

Orissa bowling: D. Mohanty 10-4-24-2, B. Mohanty 17-4-37-0, P. Das 17-5-39-1, S. Sehgal 23-4-69-2, R. Mohanty 19-4-45-0, N. Behera 18-7-31-0, P.R. Sinha 1-0-2-0.

Points: Hyderabad: 3, Orissa: 1.