Tamil Nadu pile up 192/3 against Maharashtra in Ranji Trophy semifinals

Tamil Nadu’s Vijay Shankar in action against Maharashtra on Day 1 of the Ranji Trophy semifinal

Kolkata, February 25 (IANS)

Dinesh Karthik's 48 and Vijay Shankar's 56 took Tamil Nadu to 192/3 against Maharashtra on Day 1 of the second Ranji Trophy semifinal here on Wednesday.

Karthik and Shankar shared an unbeaten 102-run partnership for the fourth wicket. They ensured that their team get out trouble as they were reduced to 90/3 when Shankar joined Karthik in the middle.

It was not an easy Eden Gardens pitch to pile on the runs, as the openers found it very difficult to score freely. The Maharashtra bowling too kept the batsmen on a tight leash, bowling an impeccable line and length upfront.

The first break through came in the form of skipper Abhinav Mukund (23) who was sent back to the pavilion by right-arm pacer Anupam Sanklecha in the 26th over of the innings.

Star opener Murli Vijay (28) soon followed Mukund's footsteps as he was dismissed by Dominic Joseph with the scorecard reading 63 for two in the 39th over.

Baba Aparajith added a few runs with Karthik but then fell prey to pace spearhead Samad Fallah for 20. The Tamil Nadu batting was tottering at 90 for three when Shankar joined Karthik in the middle.

A slow but steady partnership grew as both batsmen played out the good balls and scored whenever the bowlers erred in length. Shankar the more aggressor of the duo hit seven boundaries enroute to his 56 of 97 balls.

Brief score:

Day 1: Tamil Nadu 192/3 (Vijay Shankar 56 not out, Dinesh Karthik 48 not out; Anupam Sanklecha 1/37, Dominic Joseph 1/38)