AP garner three points in draw against TN
CHENNAI: Andhra Pradesh batsmen survived some anxious moments to secure a draw against a strong Tamil Nadu on the final day of its opening Ranji Trophy Group C match.
An improved batting performance in the second innings by the host after conceding a 133-run first innings lead saw it set Andhra a target of 218 in 39 overs for an outright win.
Baba Aparajith made an unbeaten 108 while skipper Abhinav Mukund missed out on a ton, falling for 95 and Test opener Murali Vijay came back after retiring hurt on Sunday after appearing to roll his ankle to score a sparkling half-century.
After a bright start, the visitor faltered as Tamil Nadu bowlers exerted pressure.
KS Bharat led the way for Andhra with an enterprising knock of 64, which included five fours and two sixers while Ricky Bhui made 40. However, after Bhui’s exit with the score at 161, Test all-rounder R Ashwin and K Vignesh picked up quick wickets to put the brakes on the scoring.
The dismissal of Bhui and the first innings centurion B Sumanth by Vignesh and Ashwin Hebbar and B Ayyappa by Ashwin raised Tamil Nadu’s hopes but time ran out for them. Quick loss of wickets towards the end added to the excitement before Andhra finished at 198 for 7.
Earlier, resuming at 112 for 2, captain Mukund and Aparajith scored briskly and took the score to 192 before the former fell to left-arm spinner Bhargav Bhatt.
Aparajith, who made a patient half-century in the first innings, played fluently and hit 10 fours in his knock. Vijay returned at the fall of the fifth wicket. He found his groove quickly and hit some superb shots, including one six.
The stylish right-hander fell to a catch by Ashwin Hebbar to occasional bowler DB Prashanth Kumar for 55.
Tamil Nadu declared after a flurry of boundaries by MS Washington Sundar and N Jagadeesan, leaving AP 218 to win.
While Andhra got three points for gaining the first innings lead, the hosts had to settle for one.