Hyderabad: Akshan Rao and Albin Binu smashed a century each while in-form batsman K. Nithish Kumar Reddy missed out on a three-figure mark by six runs in the Vijay Merchant Trophy Under 16 fourth round league matches that began here on Thursday.
Akshan scored 114 — his second straight century after a 103 against Hyderabad in the previous game — to help Karnataka to 293 for 8 against Tamil Nadu. The right-handed No.3 hit 18 boundaries in his 210-ball knock and found an able ally in captain Chinmay N. A. who was batting on 73 when stumps were drawn for the day.
In another match, opener Albin Binu thrashed the Goa attack to decorate his 122 with 11 boundaries and a six as Kerala made 307 for 2. Omer Abubacker (82) and Varun Nayanar (62 batting) were the others who boosted Kerala’s total.
Meanwhile, Andhra opener Nithish Kumar Reddy looked all set for another century before falling after making 94 in their match against Hyderabad. With scores of 301 not out, 190, 69 and 94, the right-hander has aggregated 654 runs in four matches in the tournament so far at an astonishing average of 218.
Andhra reached 235 for 3 after B. Yogananda too contributed 77 by close of play on the first day.
Brief Scores
n At NFC Grounds: Karnataka 293 for 8 in 90 overs (Lochan S. Gowda 36, Akshan Rao 114 — 210b, 18x4, Kruthik Krishna 35, Chinmay N. A. batting 73, Manav Prarakh 2/27) vs Tamil Nadu.
n At ECIL Grounds: Andhra 235 for 3 in 91 overs (B. Yogananda 77, K. Nithish Kumar Reddy 94 — 182b, 14x4, T. Subhramanyam batting 38) vs Hyderabad.
n At Gymkhana Grounds: Kerala 307 for 2 in 90 overs (Omer Abubacker 82, Albin Binu 122 — 236b, 11x4, 6x1, Varun Nayanar batting 62, Akshay T. K. batting 33) vs Goa.
