The lung opener for Ranji Trophy semifinalists Tamil Nadu was an away
fixture at Goa. Leading from the front, captain Sridharan Sriram made 71 at
the top of the innings after winning the toss and electing to bat. His
innings, propped up by a late in the innings recovery saw Tamil Nadu make a
modest 204 all out on the opening day of the South Zone fixture. Tamil Nadu
sorely missed the services of the injured Robin Singh and Hemang Badani.
Indian Test opener Sadagoppan Ramesh was the first to go, bowled by N
Kambli. A string of failures in the middle order, S Badrinath (1),
Sridharan Sharath (0), Vasant Saravanan (6) and Rajat Bhatia (12) reduced
Tamil Nadu to 36/5. Fortunately for the visiting side, wicketkeeper Reuben
Paul who narrowly missed out on national honours played a
characteristically belligerent knock. His 37 runs included 5 boundaries and
2 hits that sailed over the ropes. However, even his breezy knock was not
to last long. After facing 45 balls for his innings he returned to the
pavilion caught at covers by Khalid off the bowling of Khalekar.
At 104/6, Tamil Nadu were in deep trouble. Mediumpacer and hardhitting
batsman Sadagoppan Mahesh managed 13 while former Test cricketer Aashish
Kapoor made 6 runs. At 135/8 there was almost no way Tamil Nadu could avoid
humiliation. But mediumpacer Thirunavukarasu Kumaran emerged an unlikely
hero, batting well with Sriram. Watching the ruins patiently at one end was
the captain. The two forged a crucial 55 run ninth wicket partnership.
Kumaran, known more for his ability with the ball, made a patient unbeaten
47 (86 balls, 6 fours) even as Tamil Nadu neared the 200 mark. Sriram
departed at 190, being stumped off Kalekar. Leg spinner WD Balaji Rao made
just 2 before becoming Neetin Khalekar's scalp. Returning the figures of
5/39 off 13 overs, Kalekar was easily the best bowler on the day.
Fresh from his stint with the bat, Kumaran made short work of opener
Bhagwat. This brought Satyajit Medappa to the crease. Having been dropped
by Tamil Nadu for this season, the middle order bat would have a point or
two to prove to the selectors. Medappa had helped himself to a patient
unbeaten 14 (77 balls, 2 fours) when stumps was called. At 44/1 Goa's
innings is still in its infancy. However, it has to be said that Tamil Nadu
will have to bowl exceptionally well to take a first innings lead. Still to
come for Goa are Tamil Nadu reject Tanveer Jabbar and former India bat
Pravin Amre.