Jagadeesan, Yo Mahesh help Grand Slam take lead

CHENNAI: Over the last few days, N Jagadeesan has been specifically honing his skills for the T20 version in the yellows of Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium heading into his maiden IPL season.
However, on Saturday, Grand Slam wicket-keeper batsman Jagadeesan delivered for his side in a crunch situation against Globe Trotters in TNCA Elite first division league final at the SSN College ground.
A vital 94 from the 22-year-old right-handed batsman and a composed knock from allrounder V Yo Mahesh (38 no) helped Grand Slam take a key one-run first-innings lead with still two wickets left at close on day two. Grand Slam were 294/8 in 87 overs with Yo Mahesh and R Divakar (4 no) set to resume on the final day.
Jagadeesan, who has been working with CSK batting consultant Mike Hussey on his approach, featured in two key partnerships - 67 runs for the third wicket with Bharghav Merai (31) and a 79-run stand with Shubham Sharma (35) for the fourth wicket - to keep Grand Slam in the hunt.
Even though Jagadeesan was focussed on preparing for the IPL, he was mentally ready for the red-ball challenge as well. "I was confident of the way I was playing in the CSK nets at Chepauk. I knew that I would be playing in the final and I was mentally up for it. It was a challenging wicket to bat on and I was a bit disappointed that I couldn't see the team through to the lead," Jagadeesan said of his knock.
At 124/2, Grand Slam looked in control. However, pacer Basil Thampi (3/75) struck at two critical junctures to bring Trotters back in the game. Anmolpreet Singh (2/15) further pushed Grand Slam back.
The dismissal of Jagadeesan, with Grand Slam 56 runs behind, left the door open for Trotters to sneak through. But senior TN cricketer Yo Mahesh rose to the occasion alongside No 9 batsman B Arun (10). The duo added a crucial 45-run stand for the ninth wicket as Grand Slam inched closer to Trotters' total.
Brief scores: Globe Trotters 293. Grand Slam 294/8 in 87 overs (N Jagadeesan 94, V Yo Mahesh 38 no, B Thampi 3/75).