New Delhi, Jan 3 (IANS) Centuries by Aakash Chopra and Dishant Yagnik put Rajasthan in a commanding position against Hyderabad, medium-pacer Jagannathan Kaushik spurred a dramatic Tamil Nadu rally against Maharashtra and Kaustubh Pawar’s unbeaten century put Mumbai ahead against Madhya Pradesh on Day Two of the Ranji Trophy quarterfinals Tuesday.
Defending champions Rajasthan, resuming at 220 for five, posted a formidable 421 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
Former India opener Chopra was an epitome of patience in his 142-run knock off 450 balls. Yagnik made 101 and forged a 185-run stand with Chopra. In reply, Hyderabad were 35 for two with Ravi Teja (23) and Pagadala Naidu (0) at the crease.
At Chennai, Tamil Nadu first shut out Maharashtra for 232 in the first innings and then batted themselves into a strong position, scoring 259 for three at stumps.
Maharashtra, who were 204 for four overnight, lost their last six wickets for just 28 runs as Kaushik came up with a destructive spell of five for 19.
Tamil Nadu were off to a fine start as discarded India openers Abhinav Mukund (95) and Murali Vijay (79) put on 173 runs before departing in quick succession.
The 21-year old Mukund, who has scores of 220, 204, 99 and 83 this season, looked poised for another three-figure innings but fell leg before to left-arm spinner Ajinkya Joshi.
Vijay, rather short on runs in the tournament, finally got going only to fall when looking good for a century.
Dinesh Karthik (30) and Subramaniam Badrinath (35 batting) then ensured Tamil Nadu the vital first innings lead with a 70-run third-wicket partnership.
Mumbai took control of the match played at Indore. The visitors, who were 70 for five overnight, recovered to make 346 for seven in response to Madhya Pradesh’s 192. Pawar was unbeaten on 160 and was ably supported by number nine Avneet Chavan, who was on 57.
At Bangalore, Karnataka fought back after being all out for 151 against Haryana on the opening day. Medium pacers Stuart Binny (4/54) and Nervanda Aiyappa (3/70) were the men responsible for restricting Haryana to 272 in the first innings. Haryana collapsed after being 152 for no loss in the morning session. Opener Rahul Dewan made 101 while Nitin Saini contributed with 69.
Karnataka were 122 for three in their second innings courtesy Robin Uthappa’s quickfire 53 off 46 balls.
Brief scores (quarterfinals):
Rajasthan 421 in 167.1 overs (Aakash Chopra 142, Dishant Yagnik 101; Mehdi Hassan 5/62) vs. Hyderabad 35/2 in 10 overs (Ravi Teja batting 23).
Karnataka 151 and 122/3 in 32 overs (Robin Uthappa 53, Ganesh Sathish batting 33; Sachin Rana 2/18) vs. Haryana 272 in 93.1 overs (Nitin Saini 69, Rahul Dewan 101; Stuart Binny 4/54, Neravanda Aiyappa 3/70)
Madhya Pradesh 192 vs. Mumbai 346/7 in 123 overs (Kaustubh Pawar 160 batting; TP Sudhindra 4/78, Murtaza Ali 2/17)
Maharashtra 221 in 93 overs (Harshad Khadiwale 61, Sangram Dilp Atitkar 50; Jagannathan Kaushik 5/56) vs. Tamil Nadu 259/3 in 83 overs (Abhinav Mukund 95, Murali Vijay 79).
