Ranji Trophy | Jagadeesan, Sai Sudharsan put Tamil Nadu in control against Saurashtra

N. Jagadeesan shines with century as Tamil Nadu takes control against Saurashtra in Ranji Trophy match.

N. Jagadeesan (100, 165b, 11x4) continued his love affair with his home ground slamming his third First-Class century at the Sri Ramakrishna College Ground to put Tamil Nadu in the driver’s seat against Saurashtra on day two of their Ranji Trophy (Elite Group D) clash here on Saturday.

Jagadeesan and fellow opener B. Sai Sudharsan, who scored 82, forged a brilliant 172-run partnership to help their side take the crucial first-innings lead. At stumps, TN finished on 278 for three, ahead by 75.

On an overcast morning, the batters showed discipline and a positive intent against the new ball. The visitors’ pacers were wayward in their lines and failed to utilise the favourable conditions.

Sai Sudharsan set the tone, flicking the first ball of the day from Jaydev Unadkat to the square-leg fence before Jagadeesan hit three boundaries quickly through the off-side.

The TN vice-captain showed great restraint when the bowlers stuck to a wide line outside off-stump but also effectively played the cut and sweep, finding the boundaries regularly.

At the other end, Sai Sudharsan took on left-arm spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, punching him for two boundaries in an over, the first of which took him past his half-century.

A striking aspect of their stand was their running between the wickets, in which they challenged the fielders to steal twos and threes, even if there were a few close calls.