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.

Jaymeet’s unbeaten knock steadied the ship after Gujarat lost four wickets early.
| Photo Credit: E. Lakshmi Narayanan

An unbeaten century (125 batting, 214b, 11×4, 2×6) from left-hander Jaymeet Patel, who came in at No. 6, helped Gujarat recover from 55 for four to end day one on 321 for seven in the Group-B match versus TNCA President’s XI in the third round of the Buchi Babu Memorial All India invitational cricket tournament at the Salem Cricket Foundation (SCF) ground here on Tuesday.

Jaymeet hit a straight six off leg-spinner Jhathavedh Subramanyan and charged at left-arm spinner Vignesh for a six to long on. He cut and then edged Vignesh for back-to-back fours behind square. He also hit four fours off pacer Mohammed – two glorious cover drives on the front and back foot, two flicks to square leg and midwicket.

TNCA skipper and left-arm spinner M. Siddharth picked up four wickets before lunch. With the ball turning in the first session itself, Siddharth’s pace and the nervousness caused by the close-in fielders proved too much for his victims.

Jaymeet and Kshitij Patel (62, 106b, 7×4), then, bailed out Gujarat with a 73-run fifth-wicket partnership.

Kshitij hit all his boundaries on the backfoot. But he was eventually trapped plumb in front on his backfoot – beaten by pace, he was late on his block to Vignesh.

Thereafter, Jaymeet and Urvil Patel (33) strung together a 70-run sixth-wicket stand, which was broken when the latter was run out at the non-striker’s end after being sent back. Vimal Khumar’s sharp throw from short midwicket helped bowler Siddharth break the stumps.

After the new ball was taken, Siddharth had Dhrushant Soni (44), leg before wicket, in the 85th over to complete his five-wicket haul (five for 74).

Jaymeet and Dhrushant added 101 runs for the seventh-wicket union.

The scores (round three, day one): Group-B: Gujarat 321/7 in 90 overs (Kshitij Patel 62, Jaymeet Patel 125 batting, Dhrushant Soni 44, M. Siddharth 5/74) vs. Gujarat; Toss: Gujarat.