All signs pointed to a clear winner by the end of Day 4 between Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh on the Ramakrishna College Grounds on Friday. The hosts, Tamil Nadu, were the favorites going into the final day of play. With a lead of 114 runs, Andhra had six wickets in hand and one of their pacers was hurt. The pitch nearly had everything: it bounced, it turned. It had several cracks in the middle that indicated wear and tear.
They would be given a target of 203 by Andhra. Such alternatives are uncommon in Tamil Nadu. Even though they have a lot of resources in a white ball. They still have a lot of work to do in the Ranji Trophy, especially with the ball, where taking 20 opposition wickets has been a problem. Their bowlers did an excellent job here over the two innings.
They guaranteed Andhra didn’t take off with the game on the grounds that the visitors started the day. At 162/5 turned out to be excused for 250 with left-arm spinner Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore returning figures of 5/88 inside the subsequent innings. Also, as TN went again to the changing area, they had been appropriately tumultuous.
By the time the clock struck 4:52 p.m., there had been nothing but silence and shocked expressions, little did anyone know. Absolutely not at three o’clock in the afternoon, not even when Baba Indrajith was ruled LBW to serve Shoaib Mohammad Khan with Tamil Nadu at 155/4. Thrilling conclusion With six wickets remaining, they only needed 48 more runs.
The hosts had been cruising until Indrajith was let go, a questionable decision. Off-spinner Shoaib, a well-known face among Tamil Nadu players, was the only bowler challenging them. Shoaib Khan was raised in Chennai as the son of the late Indian hockey player Usman Khan. Who passed away earlier this year. A number of the best cricketers in TN have been educated at St. Bede’s College in Chennai, his alma mater.
Shoaib was a senior in college to Indrajith, Baba Aparajith, and Washington Sundar. He also has a good relationship with Sai Kishore, Vijay Shankar, and L Vignesh, among others. “(Hanuma) Vihari had advised us to set a minimum goal of one run above 200 because it has a psychological impact. He said, “Don’t even settle for 199, I’ll take care of the rest.”
However, Shoaib stated, “Fortunately, I removed Indrajith just before tea because our shoulders were beginning to drop when TN was coasting at 150/3.” Therefore, I informed the players during our conversation in the changing room that it is still possible to win. Because we knew their tail was weak, there was a turn, and we only needed three wickets—Vijay, Washington, and Pradosh Ranjan Paul.
Shoaib continued, “Kishore could bat, but when pressure is on. It is a different game, and I was going to bowl at him (laughs).” Express Photo) As a result, TN remained the favorite even when play began in the final session. The tide started to turn, however, as Vijay and Pradosh perished in successive overs. At 163/7, when Sai Kishore died while leaving Tennessee, Washington was left to help them out.
“Vihari had advised us not to panic and to simply take those three wickets.” We were certain that we could still win the game even if only 10 runs were present and their tail was in. Shoaib continued, “My job became easier with (KV) Sasikanth providing the appropriate support from the other end. It was all about maintaining discipline.”
When it came to his placements in the area, Vihari was just as sensible. He had four fielders guarding the boundary on the leg side and a brief mid-wicket in play after quickening the pacer Sasikanth’s bowling. Andhra surged forward with each over as the boundary remained elusive for TN and Shoaib maintained a solid line.
TN wilted under stress even though the off-spinner bowled unchanged from start to finish and took six wickets. We were unable to exert any pressure on them until the ball became worn out. Shoaib added, “We didn’t take the foot off the pedal after we did that.” Additionally, there was a little bit of good fortune.
The first was given out caught behind Shoaib as Washington and No. 10 Ajith Ram were selecting singles effortlessly and moving them closer to the goal – just eight quickly. The batter objected, and it took him a very long time to leave. I’m not sure if I can say this, but there was no nick. And by the time Washington released Sasikanth into the arms of the fine-leg fielder, Tennessee had lost to all previous pointers by eight runs.