Rahul Radesh’s unbeaten 85 guides Hyderabad to 295/7 on Day 1 against Rajasthan

Rahul Radesh scored an unbeaten 85, leading Hyderabad to 295/7 on Day 1 against Rajasthan in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group D match. A crucial 117-run partnership with Rohit Rayudu helped Hyderabad recover after early wickets fell

Hyderabad: Wicketkeeper-batter Rahul Radesh struck an impressive unbeaten 85 (163 balls, 8 fours) to help Hyderabad post 295 for seven on the first day of their four-day Ranji Trophy Elite Group D match against Rajasthan at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here on Saturday.

Electing to bat first, Hyderabad lost seasoned campaigner and opener Tanmay Agarwal (6) in the fourth over when left-arm pacer Akash Singh cleaned him up. Soon after, Abhirath Reddy (9), who had scored a century in the previous match, also fell. Medium-pacer Ashok Sharma induced a nick, which was caught behind by wicketkeeper Rathore Choudhary, leaving Hyderabad at 21/2 in 10.4 overs.

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However, a handy partnership of 80 runs between K. Himateja (39, 68 balls, 6 fours) and captain G. Rahul Singh (55, 84 balls, 7 fours) helped the home team recover well. But Himateja was dismissed by Ashok Sharma (101/3 in 30.2 overs).

Hyderabad lost a couple more wickets quickly, including Rahul Singh, and were reduced to 150/5 in 43.5 overs. But the gritty southpaw Rohit Rayudu (47, 86 balls, 4 fours) joined Rahul Radesh, and the two strung together a vital 117-run stand for the sixth wicket before Rayudu departed, looking set for a big score.

Rahul Radesh, however, continued to bat with confidence, showcasing some impressive strokeplay. It would have been a healthier total for the hosts, but Hyderabad lost all-rounder Chama Milind (14) towards the end of the day when he edged a delivery from Rathore Choudhary to wicketkeeper Kunsl Singh Rathore.

The scores (Day 1):
Hyderabad 295/7 in 89 overs (K. Himateja 39, Rahul Singh 55, Rahul Radesh 85*, Rohit Rayudu 47) vs Rajasthan.
Aniket Choudhary 2/35, Ashok Sharma 2/61.