S. Rithik Easwaran in action in the TNCA President XI vs Hyderabad held in Tirunelveli.
| Photo Credit: SHAIKMOHIDEEN A

A double bluff, a seven-wicket haul, a well-carved-out century, a slim lead, and a wagging tail were the highlights of the penultimate day’s play in the Buchi Babu semifinal between TNCA President’s XI and Hyderabad here on Wednesday (September 4, 2024).

In the second over of the day, left-arm pacer C.V. Milind made a strategic call, shifting a fielder from midwicket to deep square leg and positioning another at fine-leg.

M. Mohammed (47, 80b, 6×4) — anticipating a short delivery after the field changes — was done in by a full-length delivery that swung away.

This broke the 98-run seventh-wicket association between Mohammed and S. Rithik Easwaran. The latter reached his milestone (100, 140b, 9×4, 2×6) and gave his team the lead before it was bowled out for 327.

Stellar numbers

Left-arm spinner Tanay Thyagarajan, who quickly dismissed Jhathavedh Subramanyan, Gurjapneet Singh, and Rithik, finished with figures of (31.4-3-95-7).

In its second essay, Hyderabad was immediately pushed onto the back foot as Mohammed and left-arm pacer Gurjapneet got rid of Rahul Singh and M. Abhirath in a span of eight deliveries. Off-spinner S. Mohammed Ali removed Nitesh Kannala, leaving the visitor in a spot of bother at 28 for three.

Rohit Rayudu (61, 104b, 7×4, 1×6) and Hima Teja (37, 81b, 2×4) put the innings back on the rails with an 86-run fourth-wicket union, pushing the lead past 100.

However, Gurjapneet (three for 27) and Mohammed (three for 39) struck under the afternoon sun as Hyderabad was reduced to 154 for seven.

But T. Ravi Teja (33 batting, 56b, 2×4) and Milind (37 batting, 76b, 1×4, 1×6) produced a fighting 73-run eighth-wicket stand to swell the visitors’ advantage to 213.

Suryakumar Yadav takes the time out to share valuable tips with young Tamil Nadu cricketers after the Mumbai vs TNCA XI Buchi Babu tournament match at the Sri Ramakrishna College Cricket Ground in Coimbatore on Friday, August 30, 2024.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

Mumbai’s star players Shreyas Iyer (22, 79b) and Sarfaraz Khan (0, 4b) had their tasks cut out in salvaging a draw against TNCA XI. However, the visitor fell short as the two batters got out to short-pitched deliveries in a span of few minutes.

The senior pair had the added responsibility as Suryakumar Yadav did not come out to bat in the second innings, having injured his hand while fielding at slips on day three.

Mumbai, chasing 510, kept on losing wickets at regular intervals as TNCA XI won by 286 runs at the Sri Ramakrishna College Cricket Ground here on Friday and booked its place in the semifinals of the Buchi Babu tournament in style.

After a fairly decent show by Mumbai in the first session (119 for two in 40 overs), Sai Kishore introduced an unconventional fielding setup to disrupt Shreyas’ rhythm.

C.V. Achyuth (three for 37) started with a fly slip and a fine third-man. The pacer also had Sai Kishore fielding in a position between a conventional fine-leg and square-leg. The plan worked like magic as Shreyas’ pull shot went straight to the TNCA XI skipper’s hands.

Achyuth’s next over saw him get Sarfaraz caught at deep backward point off a wide and rising delivery. Mumbai slid from 122 for two to 122 for five with Sai Kishore accounting for Sidhaant Aadhhathrao in between the pacer’s overs.

Mumbai never recovered from that jolt and was bundled out for 223.

“It was my debut game and it’s a great feeling to dismiss batters who have played for the country. The length is important but that spell was more about short balls and the pace helped a bit,” Achyuth said after the fourth day’s play.

The scores: TNCA XI 379 & 286 bt Mumbai 156 & 223 in 72.5 overs (Musheer 40, Mulani 68); Points: TNCA XI 6(9), Mumbai 0(1).