Nandakishore and Laxman hit centuries

Centuries by opening batsman A Nandakishore and VVS Laxman helped Hyderabad to reach 274 for three shortly before stumps on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Super League Group B match against Railways at the Feroz Shah Kotla grounds in New Delhi on Saturday. But in the last hour, Railways recovered some ground and Hyderabad had to settle for a closing scor Centuries by opening batsman A Nandakishore and VVS Laxman helped Hyderabad to reach 274 for three shortly before stumps on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Super League Group B match against Railways at the Feroz Shah Kotla grounds in New Delhi on Saturday. But in the last hour, Railways recovered some ground and Hyderabad had to settle for a closing score of 309 for eight wickets.

Electing to bat, Hyderabad suffered an early reverse when Youraj Singh was out without a run being scored in the second over of the match. But a second wicket stand of 186 runs off 44.5 overs between Nandakishore and Laxman saw Hyderabad quickly take the initiative. Laxman dominated the partnership and when he was second out, he had made 109 off 139 balls with 15 hits to the fence in a stay of almost three hours.

The momentum was maintained with Nandakishore and Vanka Pratap adding 66 runs in 21.3 overs for the third wicket. Pratap was then out for 26 but the obdurate Nandakishore carried on till he was fourth out at 274 in the 75th over of the day. Playing the sheet anchor role to perfection, he batted almost five hours, faced 223 balls and hit 16 fours.

Leg spinner WD Balaji Rao then helped Railways come back into the game. He took three quick wickets to finish the day with four for 52. RR Parida also did well in taking three for 106.e of 309 for eight wickets.

Electing to bat, Hyderabad suffered an early reverse when Youraj Singh was out without a run being scored in the second over of the match. But a second wicket stand of 186 runs off 44.5 overs between Nandakishore and Laxman saw Hyderabad quickly take the initiative. Laxman dominated the partnership and when he was second out, he had made 109 off 139 balls with 15 hits to the fence in a stay of almost three hours.

The momentum was maintained with Nandakishore and Vanka Pratap adding 66 runs in 21.3 overs for the third wicket. Pratap was then out for 26 but the obdurate Nandakishore carried on till he was fourth out at 274 in the 75th over of the day. Playing the sheet anchor role to perfection, he batted almost five hours, faced 223 balls and hit 16 fours.

Leg spinner WD Balaji Rao then helped Railways come back into the game. He took three quick wickets to finish the day with four for 52. RR Parida also did well in taking three for 106.