Rahul Singh leads Hyderabad’s strong performance against Puducherry in Ranji Trophy

On the first day of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group D match, G. Rahul Singh scored a brilliant 114* to guide Hyderabad to 255/1 against Puducherry. K. Hima Teja supported with 62*, while Tanmay Agarwal retired hurt with 36

Hyderabad: G Rahul Singh led from the front with his 12th first-class century (114*, 174 balls, 12×4, 1×6) and put on an unbroken 167-run stand for the second wicket with K. Hima Teja (62*, 137 balls, 1×4, 2×6) to help Hyderabad score 255 for one in 70 overs on the first day of the four-day Ranji Trophy Elite Group D match at CAP Ground in Puducherry on Saturday.

Earlier in the morning, seasoned opener and Hyderabad’s most consistent batter Tanmay Agarwal had to leave the field with cramps after a measured knock of 36 (63 balls, 3×4, 1×6).

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The other opener, Abhirath Reddy, looked good before he was dismissed by Sagar P. Udeshi in the 23rd over for 35 (50 balls, 6×4).

However, from then on, it was the 30-year-old Rahul Singh, who had been an unlucky victim of a dubious umpiring decision in the first game in Hyderabad against Delhi, and Hima Teja who took charge. The two batted with a perfect blend of caution and aggression.

Not surprisingly, in the face of a wonderfully disciplined approach by Rahul and Hima Teja, who interestingly struck only one four apart from the two sixes, the Puducherry bowling looked ordinary on a pitch that never really helped the bowlers.

The scores:
At Puducherry: Day 1: Hyderabad 255/1 in 70 overs (Tanmay Agarwal 36 retd hurt, Abhirath Reddy 35, G. Rahul Singh 114* batting, K. Hima Teja 62* batting) vs Puducherry.