Ranji Trophy | Abhirath and Himateja’s tons help Hyderabad take control against Chhattisgarh

Out of the qualification race, there was no sense of urgency for Hyderabad as it ground Chhattisgarh to dust to seize control of their Ranji Trophy contest at the Gymkhana Ground here on Friday.

After Mohammed Siraj’s four-wicket haul helped dismiss the visitor for 283 on the opening day, centuries from Abhirath Reddy and K. Himateja powered Hyderabad to a 132-run lead at the close of Day 2.

Aman Rao and Abhirath split aggressor-anchor duties early to set the tempo. The former found the fence regularly to keep the scoreboard moving and reached his half-century within the first hour of play. His innings, however, ended when a miscued lofted shot made for a simple catch at mid-off for Dev Aditya Singh.

Abhirath.
| Photo Credit:
FILE PHOTO: G. MOORTHY

Rahul Singh announced his intent with a straight six off Shubham Agrawal early in his innings. His enterprising knock, however, came to an end when he edged to wicketkeeper Mayank Verma.

Abhirath stuck to his defensive game, bringing up his half-century off 85 balls. With Himateja for company, Hyderabad slashed Chhattisgarh’s advantage to just 83 runs by lunch.

Attrition

It was all about attrition thereafter, with the visiting bowlers visibly frustrated with no breakthrough in sight. The Hyderabad pair brought up a 100-run partnership. Largely operating in ones and twos, Abhirath dispatched a slower delivery from Aditya Sarvate to the midwicket boundary to bring up his century in style. With the task only half complete, the celebrations were, however, muted.

The 29-year-old then levelled the scores with a boundary through long off but departed soon after, Mayank completing his second catch of the day. Sending off Rahul Radesh soon was Chhattisgarh’s only reward thereafter, with Himateja bringing up his first ton of the season and partner Pragnay Reddy checking off a half-century before Stumps.

The scores:

Chhattisgarh — 1st innings: 283.

Hyderabad — 1st innings: Aman Rao c Dev Aditya b Sarwate 52, Abhirath Reddy c Mayank b Ayush 121, Rahul Singh c Mayank b Dev Aditya 39, K. Himateja (batting) 125, Rahul Radesh b Ravi 18, Pragnay Reddy (batting) 52; Extras (b-1, lb-7): 8; Total (for four wkts. in 105 overs): 415.

Fall of wickets: 1-96, 2-142, 3-289, 4-324.

Chhattisgarh bowling: Ravi 19-1-82-1, Sarwate 29-4-103-1, Dev Aditya 13-3-57-1, Sahban 30-2-122-0, Ayush 9-2-26-1, Prateek 5-0-17-0.