Abhinav Mukund scored an unbeaten half-century on the first day of the Ranji Trophy clash between Tamilnadu and Delhi at MA Chidambaram stadium here, today.
Abhinav remained not out on 61 and he was ably supported by Baba Indrajith who built a 56-run partnership at the end of the first session in which Tamilnadu scored 98 for the loss of two wickets.
Opting to bat first, Tamilnadu having lost on on a quarter-final berth fielded a young side with 18-year old Pradosh Ranjan Paul and S Mohan Prasath making their debuts. The duo has earned the call-up to the state side, after notching up consistent performance in the first division.
The start however was not ideal as opener N Jagadeesan was dismissed in the 10th over by left-arm spinner Vikas Mishra, after scoring just eight runs. Baba Indrajith’s dismal form with the bat continued as he fell for 6, dismissed by off-spinner Shivam Sharma. Captain Indrajith then joined Mukund and the pair ensured that there are not any further hiccups as TN saw through the session.
Delhi bowlers used as many as four bowlers in the first session on a pitch that aided spin. It was skipper Nitish Rana’s decision to bring in left-arm spinner Vikas Mishra in the 10th over of the day, who is fresh after taking a 12-wicket haul in Delhi’s last game against Madhya Pradesh, that gave them their first wicket.
Soon, spinner Shivam Mishra came in to pick the wicket of Baba Aparajith who was out stumped to leave Tamilnadu reeling at 42/2. Like the previous games, Tamilnadu is dependent on skipper Indrajith and Mukund to put up a decent total.