da leao： The lung opener for Ranji Trophy semifinalists Tamil Nadu was an awayfixture at Goa
Anand Vasu01-Nov-2000The lung opener for Ranji Trophy semifinalists Tamil Nadu was an awayfixture at Goa. Leading from the front, captain Sridharan Sriram made 71 atthe top of the innings after winning the toss and electing to bat. Hisinnings, propped up by a late in the innings recovery saw Tamil Nadu make amodest 204 all out on the opening day of the South Zone fixture. Tamil Nadusorely missed the services of the injured Robin Singh and Hemang Badani.Indian Test opener Sadagoppan Ramesh was the first to go, bowled by NKambli. A string of failures in the middle order, S Badrinath (1),Sridharan Sharath (0), Vasant Saravanan (6) and Rajat Bhatia (12) reducedTamil Nadu to 36/5. Fortunately for the visiting side, wicketkeeper ReubenPaul who narrowly missed out on national honours played acharacteristically belligerent knock. His 37 runs included 5 boundaries and2 hits that sailed over the ropes. However, even his breezy knock was notto last long. After facing 45 balls for his innings he returned to thepavilion caught at covers by Khalid off the bowling of Khalekar.At 104/6, Tamil Nadu were in deep trouble. Mediumpacer and hardhittingbatsman Sadagoppan Mahesh managed 13 while former Test cricketer AashishKapoor made 6 runs. At 135/8 there was almost no way Tamil Nadu could avoidhumiliation. But mediumpacer Thirunavukarasu Kumaran emerged an unlikelyhero, batting well with Sriram. Watching the ruins patiently at one end wasthe captain. The two forged a crucial 55 run ninth wicket partnership.Kumaran, known more for his ability with the ball, made a patient unbeaten47 (86 balls, 6 fours) even as Tamil Nadu neared the 200 mark. Sriramdeparted at 190, being stumped off Kalekar. Leg spinner WD Balaji Rao madejust 2 before becoming Neetin Khalekar’s scalp. Returning the figures of5/39 off 13 overs, Kalekar was easily the best bowler on the day.Fresh from his stint with the bat, Kumaran made short work of openerBhagwat. This brought Satyajit Medappa to the crease. Having been droppedby Tamil Nadu for this season, the middle order bat would have a point ortwo to prove to the selectors. Medappa had helped himself to a patientunbeaten 14 (77 balls, 2 fours) when stumps was called. At 44/1 Goa’sinnings is still in its infancy. However, it has to be said that Tamil Naduwill have to bowl exceptionally well to take a first innings lead. Still tocome for Goa are Tamil Nadu reject Tanveer Jabbar and former India batPravin Amre.