Anirudh's blitz helps TN humble Goa

CHENNAI: B

Anirudh Sitaram

didn't put a foot wrong on Wednesday. The left-handed opener helped Tamil Nadu score an 87-run win over Goa in their U-23 clash here. Taking first strike, the home side rode on Anirudh's 155-ball essay to score 327 for 5 in their allotted 50 overs. Anirudh's innings contained 14 boundaries and 7 sixes. Anirudh's stand with Pradosh Ranjan Paul (27) of 108 runs from just 77 deliveries for the fourth wicket helped the side cross the 300-run mark. Others to contribute include M Shahrukh Khan (30) and skipper J Kousik (37).


In reply, Goa could only manage to score 240 in 45.4 overs. Suyash Prabhudesai (84) and Aditya Suryawanshi (42 n.o.) did keep the visitors in the hunt, but Tamil Nadu kept taking wickets at regular intervals and sealed the deal with 26 balls to spare. For the winning side, Shahrukh Khan (3 for 44), T Ajith Kumar (2 for 39) and Mohan Prasath (2 for 42) shone with the ball.

Meanwhile, Kerala leg-spinner S Midhun took a hat-trick as he helped the side defeated Andhra by 21 runs. Making first use of the conditions, Kerala scored 248 for 9 riding skipper Salman Nizar's 95-ball 83. In reply, Andhra stayed on course thanks to their skipper

G Jayavardhan

's (102) 124-ball innings. But Midhun brought Kerala back in the hunt, returning with figures of four for 45.

In another match, Karnataka scored a 7-run win over Hyderabad. Karnataka were bowled out for 241 in 49.3 overs in the first half of the match. In response, they bowled out Hyderabad for 234.

Brief scores: Kerala 248-9 in 50 overs (Daryl Ferrario 50, Salman Nizar 83; Harishankar Reddy 3-44, P Girinath Reddy 3-55). Andhra 227 in 46.4 overs (G Jayavardhan 102, Karan Shinde 26, KV Sasikanth 54; Midhun 4-45). Kerala won by 21 runs; Karnataka 241 in 49.3 overs (KN Bharath 64, S Aditya 53; P Maneesh 3-32, Chaitanya Reddy 2-33, Tanay Thyagarajan 2-30). Hyderabad 234 in 47 overs (M Abhirath Reddy 33, PS Chaitanya Reddy 36; Prashanth 3-46, Prateek Jain 2-29). Karnataka won by 7 runs; Tamil Nadu 327-5 in 50 overs (B Anirudh Sitaram 175, M Shahrukh Khan 30, J Kousik 37). Goa 240 in 45.4 overs (Suyash Prabhudessai 84, Aditya Suryawanshi 42 n.o.; Shahrukh Khan 3-44, T Ajith Kumar 2-39, Mohan Prasath 2-42)