Tamil Nadu regain control with late wickets

Just as Punjab were putting up a gallant fightback in their second innings, Tamil Nadu grabbed two wickets late in the day to place themselves in a commanding position at stumps on the third day of their Ranji Trophy quarter-final at the MA Chidambaram stadium in Chennai on Saturday.

In arrears by 203 runs on the first innings, Punjab's openers Vikram Rathour and Reetinder Singh Sodhi put on 126 runs off 40.5 overs. Just when it looked like the two would come in unbeaten at stumps, Sodhi was caught behind by Reuben Paul off Mahesh for 89. Sodhi, the more aggressive of the two, faced 146 balls and hit ten fours. Wicketkeeper H Jagnu, sent in as a night watchman, was run out in the following over for zero. By that time however the light was bad and play was called off with 11.4 overs still to be bowled. Punjab, at 127 for two, still have a lot of work ahead.

Early morning showers meant that play started 75 minutes late. Then further rain saw to it that 12 minutes play was lost shortly before lunch. Tamil Nadu, 346 for five overnight, were all out about an hour after the break. Sridharan Sriram was finally out for 165, caught by Mongia off Harbhajan Singh. He batted 509 minutes, faced 278 balls and hit 12 fours. The off spinner then dismissed Sadagopan Mahesh first ball. But the Tamil Nadu tail wagged. First Rajath Bhatia (24) and Reuben Paul (32) added 27 runs for the ninth wicket. This was followed by a last wicket partnership of 47 runs off 13 overs between Paul and J Gokulakrishnan (21 not out). Harbhajan Singh who bowled very well was rewarded with five wickets for 106 runs.

Rathour and RS Sodhi brought Punjab back into the game with their century first wicket partnership. But the fall of two quick wickets late in the day saw Tamil Nadu regain the whiphand. Rathour by close however was unbeaten with a defiant 37 off 101 balls with four hits to the ropes. Play was extended by more than a hour and a half to make up the loss due to the rain. But bad light ultimately halted play at 6.10 pm.