Tirunelveli (TN): Test discard Abhinav Mukund led Tamil Nadu’s riposte to Hyderabad’s massive first innings total of 565 for 8 declared with a superb ton (101 batting) as the host reached 163 for 2 at stumps on day three of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group ‘B’ match here Wednesday.
Hyderabad skipper P. Akshath Reddy could add only two runs to his overnight score of 248 and the team declared at 565 after CV Milind (33 not out) and Mehdi Hasan (14 not out) put on 27 runs for the ninth wicket.
M. Mohammed was the best bowler for Tamil Nadu, picking up 3 for 102 while K. Vignesh and Rahil Shah scalped two each. Tamil Nadu skipper B. Indrajith used eight bowlers in the innings as the visiting batsmen piled on their misery on a flat wicket. Opener Mukund looked in fine form, striking the ball all round the wicket.
He and fellow opener M. Kaushik Gandhi (21 off 117 balls, 1X4) put on 80 runs to set the platform for Tamil Nadu. Mukund was the dominant partner as he reached his 50 in 116 deliveries. He was on the lookout for runs despite losing Gandhi and No.3 batsman B Aparajith (4). Both wickets were taken by CV Milind (2 for 19). Mukund, who has so far hit 15 fours, and captain B Indrajith (24 batting) added 69 runs and saw the team through to close of play without any further slip-ups.
