Hyderabad dominate Chhattisgarh with first-innings lead in Ranji Trophy Group D

Hyderabad took firm control of their Ranji Trophy Group D match against Chhattisgarh, posting 631 in reply to 283. K Himateja scored 171 and M Sai Pragnay Reddy hit 126, while Chhattisgarh ended day three at 100 for two

Hyderabad: Southpaw K Himateja missed a truly deserving double century (171, 258b, 16×4, 1×6), but wicketkeeper-batter M Sai Pragnay Reddy batted with authority to score an impressive ton (126, 184b, 14×4, 4×6) and help Hyderabad post a massive 631 in the first innings in reply to Chhattisgarh’s 283 on the third day of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group D match at Gymkhana Ground here on Saturday.

In the second essay, Chhattisgarh put up an improved display to stay in the game, scoring 100 for two in 39 overs at close of play, but clearly facing an uphill task to save the match.

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Earlier, resuming at the overnight score of 415 for four, Hyderabad batters continued to dominate with Himateja and Pragnay Reddy adding 185 runs for the fifth wicket, illustrating the essence of stroke selection.

The emphasis was on placements and punishing erring bowlers. Just when Himateja looked good for a double century, he stepped out to left-arm spinner Aditya Sarwate only to be stumped by Mayank Verma.

An undeterred Pragnay Reddy continued to showcase his skills, notching up his second Ranji century with some delectable placements and big hits, treating the bowling on merit. He crossed the three-figure mark in style with a six over mid-wicket.

A breezy knock by all-rounder Tanay Thyagarajan (32, 28b, 2×4, 3×6) compounded Chhattisgarh’s woes, and Pragnay was the ninth batter to be dismissed (598 in 144.3 overs).

On a pitch which never really caused serious concern, the Chhattisgarh bowlers struggled against Hyderabad batters who showed the right intent to dominate, even as one thought the hosts could have opted for an early declaration instead of waiting for the innings to end 50 minutes before the tea break.

Though pacer Rakshann Readdi struck the first blow by removing opener Aayush Pandey, with the umpire taking a delayed caught-behind verdict in the 15th over, and Hyderabad captain Mohd Siraj dismissed Sanjeet Desai (0) in the 16th over, opener Anuj Tiwary (47 batting, 97b, 7×4) and captain Amandeep Khare (25 batting, 74b, 3×4) weathered the home attack. Left-arm spinners Thyagarajan and G Anikethreddy bowled 25 overs between them without success.

The scores (3rd day):
Chhattisgarh 283 in 72.3 overs & 100/2 in 39 overs (Anuj Tiwary 47 batting, Amandeep Khare 25 batting) vs Hyderabad 631 in 154 overs (Abhirath Reddy 121, Rahul Singh 39, K Himateja 171, Pragnay Reddy 126, Tanay Thyagarajan 32).