Buchi Babu final | Hyderabad well on course to retain the title

Spinners Nitin Sai Yadav (three for 55) and Rohit Rayudu (three for 96) bowled Hyderabad into a position of strength as they helped their side take a crucial 23-run first-innings lead against TNCA President’s XI on day three of the Buchi Babu tournament final at the CSK-HPC ground on Monday.

At stumps, Hyderabad was 14 for one in its second essay and, barring a second-innings collapse on the final day, is on course to defend its crown.

Earlier, the TN side resumed the day on 142 for one and had the match in its hands, but the failure of set batters to convert their starts cost the team dear.

S. Radhakrishnan (98) started positively, striking a few boundaries before Rohit struck twice in two overs. The off-spinner first removed Pradosh Ranjan Paul and then trapped Radhakrishnan leg-before.

B. Indrajith (50) and C. Andre Siddarth (30) got President’s XI back on track, stitching together a 52-run partnership, during which the hosts appeared to be in control.

However, Andre threw his wicket away off the last ball of the session when he tried to ramp pacer Nishanth over third-man and was caught in the deep.

G. Ajitesh (57) took on the spinners and took the hosts to within 49 runs of the target with five wickets in hand.

The Hyderabad bowlers, though, stayed patient on a pitch that was offering assistance to the spinners and in the final over before tea, leggie Varun Goud trapped Ajitesh with a quicker delivery.

It was the pivotal moment, and from there on, Rahul Singh’s men slowly chipped away at the President’s XI lower-order and now have one hand on the trophy.

The scores: Hyderabad 376 & 14/1 in 10 overs vs TNCA President’s XI 353 in 138.2 overs (S. Radhakrishnan 98, R. Vimal Khumar 54, B. Indrajith 50, G. Ajitesh 57).