TN post 435, Punjab on shaky ground

Salem, February 17

Tamil Nadu were in firm control of their Ranji Trophy Group C match by packing off the Punjab top-order after big hundreds by Baba Indrajith and Vijay Shankar powered the hosts to 435 in their first innings here today.

Punjab were 141/4 at stumps on the second day, trailing by 294 runs. Batting on 88 overnight, Shankar reached his century with the help of 12 fours and a six, while Indrajith went on to make 187 off 295 balls after resuming the day on 122.

Open and shut case

Mumbai: All-rounder Shardul Thakur’s match haul of 10 wickets was complemented by Shivam Dube’s counterattacking century as Mumbai ended their Group B engagements with an innings and 80-run win against Assam inside two days.

Mumbai have been at their ruthless best this season, capping five wins, four with bonus points to top the group standings with 37 points.

Pujara scores ton, again

Rajkot: Cheteshwar Pujara struck his 63rd First-Class century while Prerak Mankad and Arpit Vasavada also registered hundreds to give Saurashtra a 387-run first-innings lead against Manipur here in their Group A clash.

Brief scores: TN: 435 all out in 131.4 overs (Indrajith 187, Shankar 130; Sukhwinder 4/99) vs Punjab: 141/4 in 46 overs (Anmolpreet 41, Nehal 43; Ajith 2/34); Mumbai: 272 in 64.4 overs (Shivam 121*; Dibakar 5/74); Manipur: 142 & 55/3 in 28 overs (Ronald 32*) vs Saurashtra: 529/6 decl in 104.1 overs (Mankad 173, Arpit 148, Pujara 108; Lambam 3/157).