Ranji Trophy: Pradosh shines on Tamil Nadu debut

CHENNAI: If Day 1 of the Tamil Nadu-Delhi Ranji clash at MA Chidambaram Stadium witnessed Abhinav Mukund's (134, 13x4) gritty century, it was the turn of debutant Pradosh Ranjan Paul (78, 12x4, 1x6) to take centre-stage on Tuesday. The 18-year-old left-hander's 129-ball innings had power and panache in equal measure that helped the hosts finish on 432 despite left-arm spinner Vikas Mishra's 5 for 142.In reply, Delhi were 35 for 2 at close of play.
Pradosh arrived at the crease after the departure of Vijay Shankar (17, 1x4) in the 9th over of the day. He appeared tentative to start with, and needed 16 balls to get off the mark. Once Pradosh hit medium-pacer Subodh Bhati (1-39) for a boundary, the youngster began to find his feet. Pradosh looked assured at the crease, his footwork appeared swift and running between the wickets was decisive. In the company of Abhinav, Pradosh added 47 for the fifth wicket before an 82-run stand with M Shahrukh Khan (55, 4x4, 1x6). "I was nervous till I got my first run. Once that was out of the way, I began to relax and play my shots. My plan was to wait for the loose balls and make full use of those. However, I am disappointed on having missed out on a century," Pradosh said after the day's play. Pradosh's knock coupled with some late charge by Shahrukh and Sai Kishore (21, 2x4, 2x6) helped TN cross the 400-run mark.
Delhi, for the second day in succession, looked ordinary on the field. Vijay Shankar, Abhinav and Pradosh were given lives by Delhi fielders. Kunal Chandela was guilty of grassing Vijay Shankar (at slips when on 17) and Pradosh (on 71 at mid-wicket). Himmat Singh, at mid-off, dropped a half chance offered by Abhinav who was on 122. "They (TN) wouldn't have got to this total had we held on to our catches," rued left-arm spinner Shivam Sharma (4 for 105). Delhi will take heart from the performances of their left-arm spinners. However, they will also be wary of the two left-arm tweakers in the TN ranks - R Sai Kishore (1 for 4) and debutant Mohan Prasath (0-3) - on a track that's beginning to turn.
Tamil Nadu 1st Innings (O/N 215-3): Abhinav Mukund c Rana b Shivam 134, Vijay Shankar lbw Bhati 17, Pradosh Ranjan Paul lbw Vikash 78, M Shahrukh Khan c Shivam b Vikas 55, M Mohammed c Himmat b Shivam 14, Sai Kishore lbw Vikas 21, Mohan Prasath c Rana b Shivam 0, T Natarajan not out 0; Extras (lb-3, nb 4, b-6) 13; Total (all out in 164.4 overs) 432; FoW: 1-25, 2-42, 3-197, 4-234, 5-281, 6-363, 7-396, 8-427, 9-428; Bowling: Saini 26-6-68-0, Bhati 21-7-39-1, Vikas 45.4-3-142-5, Shivam 44-6-105-4, Lalit 14-1-36-0, Rana 14-3-33-0; Delhi (1st innings): Kunal Chandela run out 27, Shivam Sharma lbw Sai Kishore 7, Dhruv Shorey batting 0; Extras (nb-1) 1; Total (for two wickets 12.5 overs) 35; FoW: 1-35, 2-35; Bowling: Natarajan 4-0-23-0, Mohammed 3-1-5-0, Sai Kishore 3-1-4-1, Mohan Prasath 2.5-1-3-0