Anikethreddy, Tanay take Hyderabad closer to first-innings lead against Chhattisgarh

Hyderabad: Left-arm spinner G. Anikethreddy played, perhaps, the most crucial knock (32, 31b,5×4) of his first-class career and importantly strung together a partnership of 50 runs for the ninth wicket with the more experienced Tanay Thyagarajan (29 batting, 56b, 1×4, 1×6) to take Hyderabad closer to the vital first innings lead against Chattisgarh on the second day of the four-day Ranji Trophy Elite Group B league match at Gymkhana Ground here on Tuesday.

In the morning, Chattisgarh, resuming at the overnight score of 279 for seven, folded up for 284 in the fourth over of the day, with pacers Rakshann Readdi first dismissing Jayant Yadav in the first over and then left-arm pacer Chama Milind picking two wickets in quick succession.

In reply, Hyderabad scored 275 for nine at close of play, still needing 10 runs for the lead.

Hyderabad, at one stage, was precariously placed at 212 for eight when Anikethreddy joined Tanay. And, he batted beautifully, not hesitating to play some extravagant strokes like the way he on-drove and swung left-arm spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja to the fence in one over.

Strokes which clearly gave immense confidence to the Hyderabad camp and demoralised the opposition.

Just when it looked Anikethreddy would see the team through the first innings lead, he went for the lofted stroke on off-side only to give a leading edge to short third-man off left-arm spinner Ajay Mandal to make it 262 for nine, still 23 needed for the lead.

However, Tanay was equally good at the other end and later on he swung into action lofting Ajay Mandal for a six to ease the pressure a lot for his team in the final minutes of the day.

Earlier, crucial knocks by Abhirath Reddy (35, 60b, 3×4), Rahul Radesh (72, 174b, 4×4) and K. Himatej (46, 67, 3×4, 2×6) kept Hyderabad in the hunt despite losing wickets in the face of excellent bowling by left-arm spinner Dhamendrasinh Jadeja (24-3-84-5).

The scores: 2nd day: Chattisgarh 284 iin 90.1 overs (Chama Milind 3/19, Rakshann Readdi 3/37) vs Hyderabad 275/9 in 83 overs (Abhirath Reddy 35, Rahul Radesh 72, K. Himateja 46, Tanay Thyagarajan 29 batting, G. Anikethreddy 32, D. Jadeja 5.84).