After Tanmay’s ton, Hyderabad suffers collapse; finishes day 3 at 400/7 in Ranji
Hyderabad camp was visibly upset when opener Tanmay Agarwal (132) was declared out due in a doubtful lbw decision
Hyderabad: Tanmay Agarwal reasserted his reputation as ‘Mr Dependable’ with his 18th Ranji Trophy century (132, 196b, 15×4) to ensure that the home team has slender hopes of grabbing the vital first innings lead against Delhi in the Elite Group D match finishing the third day at 400 for seven at close of play at NexGen Cricket Academy Ground (near Hakimpet) here on Friday.
Eventually, it was a “poor umpiring” decision which led to Tanmay’s dismissal after he looked so good and unruffled right through the innings.
In reply to Delhi’s imposing 529 for four declared, Hyderabad looked well and truly in sight of the primary objective thanks to the breezy, enterprising 140-run stand off 167 balls for the second wicket between Tanmay Agarwal and nightwatchman G. Aniketh Reddy (87, 100b,12×4, 2×6), who was dropped on 37 but proved to be a nightmare for the Delhi bowlers with some brilliant strokes on either side of the wicket.
But, just when Tanmay and Aniketh were threatening to take the game away, Delhi captain and part-time off-break bowler Ayush Badoni struck twice in the 43rd over, first having Aniketh stumped smartly by Anuj Rawat and then dismissing India star and Hyderabad captain Tilak Varma for a second-ball duck, trapped lbw, missing the line.
Soon, Tanmay indulged in rare celebrations on completing the century to become only the third highest in terms of number of Ranji centuries from Hyderabad (going past the great ML Jaisimha’s 17) and now only VVS Laxman (23) and late MV Sridhar (21) are ahead of this wonderful opener, according to HCA official scorer Mir Sami Ali.
With Badoni dismissing K. Himateja also lbw to a doubtful decision, Hyderabad was 262 for four in the 59th over.
Later, Tanmay, when the umpire Anish Sahasrabudhe declared him lbw to spinner Arpit Rana, the visibly disgusted opener left the field in utter disbelief, suggesting that there was a big nick off the bat.
Despite this blow, Hyderabad still chipped away to stay in the race thanks to a fine knock by A. Varun Goud (57, 112b, 5×4) before he was snapped up at silly-point off spinner Sumit Mathur.
But what clearly could have shifted the momentum Delhi’s way was when Badoni, who was the star bowler (five for 69), cleaned up seasoned Rohit Rayudu (3, 31 balls) with just two balls before the close of play.
Rahul Radesh (41 batting, 93b, 4×4) was there at the crease, and a lot depends on him and Chama Milind on Saturday for sure.
Hyderabad camp disappointed
Hyderabad camp was visibly upset when opener Tanmay Agarwal (132) was declared lbw against Delhi on the third day of the ongoing Ranji Trophy Elite Group D match at the NexGen Cricket Academy here on Friday.
The seasoned campaigner was clearly disappointed as he walked back into the dressing room.
In fact, a furious Hyderabad camp, which felt there were two doubtful decisions also in the innings earlier – that of opener G Rahul Singh and southpaw K Himateja – had taken up the umpiring issue pretty seriously.
During the tea break, Hyderabad captain Tilak Varma and head coach DB Ravi Teja walked into the BCCI match referee Balakrishna Misquin’s chamber to express their utter disappointment.
The disbelief at the poor umpiring decisions was understandable, for Hyderabad was sitting pretty with Tanmay going great guns in reply to Delhi’s imposing 529 for four declared. When the centurion got out, the scoreline read 327 for five in 77 overs.
The scorecard:
Delhi – 1st innings: 529/4 decl in 151 overs.
Hyderabad – 1st innings: Tanmay Agarwal lbw b Rana 132, Rahul Singh lbw b Badoni 35, Anikethreddy st Rawat b Badoni 87, Tilak Varma lbw b Badoni 0, K. Himateja lbw b Badoni 29, A. Varun Goud c Sangwan b Mathur 57, Rahul Radesh batting 41, Rohit Rayudu b Badoni 3.
Extras: (b-8, lb-7, nb-1) 16
Total: (for seven wkts in 106.4 overs) 400
Fall of wickets: 1-65, 2-205, 3-205, 4-262, 5-327, 6-379, 7-400
Delhi bowling: Shivam Sharma 20-3-64-0, Navdeep Saini 13-5-37-0, Simarjeet Singh 12-1-52-0, Ayush Badoni 21.4-1-69-5, Sumit Mathur 16-1-64-1, Arpit Rana 9-2-19-1.
