Abhirath Reddy misses century as Hyderabad fight back against Punjab

Abhirath Reddy scored 97 and Rahul Radesh remained unbeaten on 72 as Hyderabad reached 193 for two against Punjab on Day 2 of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match. Punjab had earlier posted 431, led by Salil Arora’s 151

Hyderabad: Hyderabad opener Abhirath Reddy missed a thoroughly deserving century (97, 140b, 12×4, 1×6) but more importantly put on a 154-run stand for the second wicket with southpaw Rahul Radesh (72 batting, 154b, 9×4) to keep the home team in the race for the vital first innings lead against. Punjab on the second day of the four-day Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match at Gymkhana Ground here on Tuesday.

It was a day when batters showed fighting qualities.

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First, Punjab wicket-keeper-batter Salil Arora (151, 268b, 11×4, 4×6) put up a brilliant 116-run stand for the last wicket with the spirited India star Umesh Yadav (37 not out, 56b, 3×4, 3×6). This was Arora’s second ton of the season.

This after Hyderabad captain and left-arm pacer Chama Milind bowled a dream spell of 7-2-21-4 in the morning session to rock Punjab, which resumed at the overnight score of 289 for six.

A spell which saw Punjab in dire straits at 315 for nine before Salil Arora changed the course of the innings with brilliant, calculated aggression. To his delight, Umesh was equal to the task and didn’t hesitate playing the big shots too which eventually helped Punjab post 431 in 124.5 overs in extended lunch break.

In reply ,Hyderabad opener Tanmay Agarwal (2) was dismissed by left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar in the second over of the day.

But that turned out to be the only moment of joy for Punjab till 30 minutes before close of play as Abhirath and Rahul Radesh batted beautifully.

Rahul was clearly searching for the ball early in his innings, up against a fiery India fast bowler Umesh Yadav and was in fact lucky to survive that spell. But once the spinners came on, he grew in confidence and never really looked back. The way he whipped off-spinner Harjas Singh Tandon with ease for two boundaries in one over was a treat to watch.

At the other end, Abhirath was confidence personified and even battled his way out of cramps when on 58 to play a wonderful knock. The pick of his strokes being two inside-out hits to the cover fence, with little footwork because of cramps, off Brar.

Abhirath hit two fours in one over from Harjas Singh to move from 86 to 94. Then, Punjab captain Uday Sharan looked to Umesh Yadav and the experienced bowler responded, inducing a poor leg-glance from Abhirath only to be caught behind to the relief of the visitors.

At close of play, Hyderabad finished at a very healthy 193 for two, clearly in the race for the first innings lead.

The scores: 2nd day: Punjab 431 in 124.5 overs (Salil Arora 151, Umesh Yadav 37 not out, Chama Milind 4/79, Rakshan Readdi 3/80) vs Hyderabad 193/2 in 54 overs (Abhirath Reddy 97, Rahul Radesh 72 batting).