TNCA League: Suresh shines for India Pistons in drawn clash

CHENNAI: M Suresh Babu’s all-round skills - top-scored with 60 and bagged 5 for 43 - was instrumental in India Pistons grab a first-innings lead in their drawn TNCA first division league clash against MCC on Friday.
Suresh Babu’s patient 140-ball 60 helped India Pistons to 218 in their first innings. In reply, Suresh’s left-arm spin saw MCC being bowled out for 103 in 36 overs.S Suresh Kumar, with his unbeaten 72, was the leading scorer for MCC.
Star offie R Ashwin shone with 4 for 68 as MRC ‘A’ drew their contest against AG’s Office. After posting 272 in their first innings, MRC ‘A’ restricted their opposition to 188. Apart from Ashwin, Rajkumar too made it count with figures of 4 for 38.
Defending champions Jolly Rovers rode skipper M Kaushik Gandhi’s 141 to declare their innings at 374 for 3 in their match against Grand Slam. In reply, Grand Slam fell 8 short of taking a first innings lead despite handy contributions from V Ganga Sridhar Raju (79), Nidhish Rajagopal (64) and skipper V Yo Mahesh (61). Piyush Chawla led the bowling pack with 3 for 110.
Hanuma Vihari’s 190-ball 108 was not enough as Nelson were bowled out for 223 in reply to Globe Trotters’ first innings score of 378-8 declared. Globe Trotters rode Sanvir Singh’s 101 to post a strong total. In reply, Vihari kept Nelson in the hunt but once he was dismissed, their innings crumbled. For Globe Trotters, Anukul Roy (4 for 59) and Washington Sundar (4 for 54) stood out with the ball.
Brief scores: Globe Trotters 378-8 decl in 86 overs (MS Washington Sundar 65, Sanvir Singh 101; Shahbaz Nadeem 4-118). Nelson 223 in 72.2 overs (G Hanuma Vihari 108; Anukul Roy 4-59, Washington Sundar 4-54). Match drawn; Alwarpet 294-3 decl (R Kavin 127, Manprit Juneja 89). Swaraj 69-5 in 40 overs (B Arun 3-15). Match drawn; India Pistons 218 in 82 overs (M Suresh Babu 60; Karan Kaila 4-32) & 35-0 in 11 overs (GV Vignesh 26 n.o.). MCC 103 in 36 overs (S Suresh Kumar 72 n.o.; M Suresh Babu 5-43). Match drawn; MRC ‘A’ 272 in 66.4 overs (B Rahul 107, NS Chaturved 61; Ashwin Kumar 4-46). AG’s Office 188 in 52.1 overs (R Karthik Adithya 55; Rajkumar 4-38, R Ashwin 4-68). Match drawn; Jolly Rovers 374-3 decl in 84 overs (M Kaushik Gandhi 141, B Anirudh Sitaram 75, B Aparajith 81). Grand Slam 366 in 82.4 overs (V Ganga Sridhar Raju 79, Nidhish S Rajagopal 64, V Yo Mahesh 61; Piyush Chawla 3-110). Match drawn; Vijay 313-5 decl in 93 overs (L Suryapprakash 53, Pradosh Ranjan Paul 63, M Shahrukh Khan 108 n.o.). Young Stars 291 in 89.3 overs (Kunal Chandela 56, Ankur Julka 87; Sandeep Warrier 4-45). Match drawn.