Ranji Trophy 2023-24: Sai Kishore’s fifer retains Tamil Nadu in command in opposition to Saurashtra on Day 1

Skipper R. Sai Kishore (5 for 66) led from the entrance for Tamil Nadu as he scalped his ninth five-wicket haul in First Class cricket to bowl out Saurashtra for 183 on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy quarterfinals on the Sri Ramakrishna School of Arts and Science floor right here on Friday.

Sai, alongside fellow left-arm spinner Ajith Ram (three for 56), continued their twin act as they shared eight wickets between them and displayed good management over line and size on a pitch that’s serving to the slower bowlers.

“I’ll take 183 on any day. Actually, we didn’t flip up like standard within the first hour,” Sai Kishore stated, after the day’s play. “We pulled it again after that, and general, the hassle on the sector was improbable.”

“With the stress that he (Ajith) places at one finish, both he’ll take wickets, or I’ll. Even when he’s bowling lengthy spells, his lengths will not be going right here and there. It provides lots of management to the crew. Solely due to his bowling had been we in a position to take wickets on the different finish.”

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In reply, TN completed the day on 23 for one, dropping opener Vimal Khumar, bowled by Chirag Jani.

Electing to bat, Harvik Desai (84) and Sheldon Jackson received the guests off to a robust begin, hitting a flurry of boundaries regardless of dropping opener Kevin Jivrajani within the third over of the day. Harvik was flamboyant taking part in cuts, flicks and a few crisply-timed on-drives. He additionally used the sweep pictures in opposition to the spinners successfully.

Sai Kishore then took cost when he bowled Jackson earlier than Ajith Ram made his presence felt by accounting for the in-form Cheteshwar Pujara.

The 2 left-arm spinners tied down the skilled Indian batter, bowling a probing spell from both finish, giving simply two runs in 22 balls. It compelled Pujara to cost all the way down to Ajith to work one by way of the on-side however ended up giving a easy return catch.

Harvik and Arpit Vasavada received the defending champion’s innings again on monitor by stitching a 54-run stand for the fourth wicket to maintain TN at bay till one hour after lunch.

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Nevertheless, Ajith Ram as soon as once more gave the breakthrough for the hosts when he had Arpit trapped in entrance after which bowled the well-set Harvik with a faster supply that appeared to maintain low to blow the sport open.

Sai Kishore then rapidly ran by way of the decrease order, taking 4 of the final 5 wickets to get his second five-for this season.

“I needed to bowl solely three overs with Sandy (Sandeep Warrier), however as I noticed the batters struggling, it saved extending, after which I received a couple of wickets as nicely,” he added.