Hyderabad fight back thanks to Chama Milind’s unbeaten 94 against Himachal

Chama Milind’s unbeaten 94 steered Hyderabad’s fightback after a precarious position on day two of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group D match against Himachal Pradesh. A vital 64-run partnership with Tanay Thyagarajan helped Hyderabad move closer to a first innings lead

Hyderabad: Chama Milind’s fighting, unbeaten 94 (116b, 15×4, 3×6) kept Hyderabad’s hopes alive of grabbing the vital first innings lead against Himachal Pradesh on the second day of the four-day Ranji Trophy Elite Group D match at Nadaun (Himachal Pradesh) on Sunday.

In reply to Himachal’s first innings score of 318 in 97.3 overs, Hyderabad finished the day at 274 for eight after being precariously placed at 132 for seven in 40.1 overs at one stage.

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A crucial 64-run stand between No.8 Chama Milind and Tanay Thyagarajan (28, 40b, 3×5, 1×6) helped Hyderabad come back into the game.

Even after Thyagarajan was dismissed in the 53rd over with the score reading 196 for 8, it still seemed a distant possibility for Hyderabad to take the lead.

But Milind not only held one end up but also played some aggressive strokes, treating the bowlers with contempt as his knock included three big hits which cleared the fence.

Importantly, lanky pacer Saranu Nishanth (16 batting, 38b, 1×4, 2×6) proved to be a perfect foil to Milind, and the two put on an unbroken 78-run stand for the ninth wicket to ensure there were no more setbacks for Hyderabad and pushed the team closer to the primary target of taking the first innings lead, for which 44 more runs are required.

At the top of the order, only Tanmay Agarwal (33, 43b, 6×4) batted fluently while the others struggled against the pace duo of Vaibhav Arora (two for 49) and Divesh Sharma (three for 66), and then against off-spinner Mukul Negi (two for 61).

Earlier, left-arm spinner Tanay Thyagarajan wrapped up the tail to complete a four-wicket haul as Himachal, resuming at 293 for seven, folded up for 318.

The scores: At Nadaun (Himachal): Himachal Pradesh 318 in 97.3 overs (Akash Vasisht 118, Tanay Thyagarajan 4/80, Rohit Rayudu 3/51) vs Hyderabad 274/8 in 71 overs (Tanmay Agarwal 33, Chama Milind 94 batting, Tanay Thyagarajan 28, Saranu Nishanth 16 batting, Divesh Sharma 3/66, Mukul Negi 2/61).