Cricket

Chhattisgarh's openers, Ayush Pandey and Anuj Tiwari, put on a dominant 145-run partnership to propel their team to a strong position on day one of the Buchi Babu tournament semifinals against TNCA XI.Pandey, a left-handed opener, played a patient innings, accumulating 82 runs off 172 deliveries. He displayed a solid technique, driving the ball confidently and using the sweep shot effectively against the spinners.Tiwari, on the other hand, was more aggressive, scoring 93 runs off 175 balls. He showcased his power-hitting abilities with two sixes and 10 fours, including some impressive cover drives and straight drives.The duo's partnership was built on a combination of patience and aggression. They rotated the strike regularly, keeping the scoreboard ticking over, while also punishing loose deliveries.After Tiwari's dismissal, Prateek Yadav came to the crease and played a brisk half-century (61 batting off 67 balls). He hit seven fours and three sixes, providing further impetus to Chhattisgarh's innings.At the close of play, Chhattisgarh had reached 294 for three wickets in 90 overs. Skipper Amandeep Khare (35 batting off 117 balls) was holding fort at the other end.The TNCA XI bowlers struggled to contain Chhattisgarh's batters, with left-arm spinner S. Ajith Ram and off-spinner Lakshay Jain being the most economical. However, they were unable to break the partnership between Pandey and Tiwari.

Mumbai's hopes of salvaging a draw against TNCA XI in the Buchi Babu tournament were dashed as star batters Shreyas Iyer and Sarfaraz Khan fell in quick succession to short-pitched deliveries. The visitors, chasing a daunting 510, had shown promise in the first session, reaching 119 for two in 40 overs. However, TNCA XI's unconventional fielding setup, featuring a fly slip, fine third-man, and a fielder positioned between fine-leg and square-leg, proved to be their undoing.Sai Kishore's introduction of this unorthodox fielding arrangement disrupted Iyer's rhythm, and the pacer's pull shot went straight to the TNCA XI skipper's hands. Achyuth's next over saw Sarfaraz caught at deep backward point off a wide and rising delivery. Mumbai's batting lineup crumbled from 122 for two to 122 for five, with Sai Kishore also accounting for Sidhaant Aadhhathrao.The visitors never recovered from that jolt and were bundled out for 223, handing TNCA XI a 286-run victory and a berth in the semifinals. Achyuth, who made his debut in the match, expressed his delight at dismissing batters who have played for India. "The length is important, but that spell was more about short balls and the pace helped a bit," he said.

TNCA XI tightened their grip on the Buchi Babu tournament, piling on the misery for Mumbai in the third round match at the Sri Ramakrishna College Cricket Ground. After dismissing Mumbai for a paltry 156 in the first innings, TNCA XI piled up a mammoth 286 in their second essay, leaving Mumbai with an improbable target of 510.Mumbai's batting woes continued in their second innings, as they stumbled to six for no loss at stumps on day three. The home team is now on the cusp of a semifinal berth, having virtually sealed three points from this match.TNCA XI's dominance began with their bowlers, led by Sai Kishore's five-wicket haul. Mumbai captain Sarfaraz Khan, who missed the second day due to illness, returned to bat at No. 10 but was dismissed by Kishore along with Divyansh Saxena (70).Undeterred, TNCA XI opted to bat again and established a solid opening partnership of 142 runs between S.R. Athish (57) and S. Lokeshwar (73). Despite a spirited fightback from Mumbai's tweakers Shams Mulani (four for 73) and Tanush Kotian (five for 91), the damage had already been done in the first innings.Suryakumar Yadav, who had bowled the final over before lunch, did not field in the later part of the innings after suffering a blow to his hand while fielding in the slips.Mumbai's hopes now rest on a miracle, as they need a win to secure a place in the next stage. The scores at the end of day three stand as follows:TNCA XI 379 & 286 in 79.2 overs (Athish 57, Lokeshwar 73, Mokit 52, Mulani 4/73, Kotian 5/91) vs Mumbai 156 in 63.2 overs (Divyansh 70, Sai Kishore 5/36) & 6/0 in two overs.

Suryakumar Yadav, renowned for his explosive batting in limited-overs cricket, has recently turned heads with his unexpected bowling exploits. During Mumbai's Buchi Babu tournament match against TNCA XI, Yadav experimented with off-spin, delivering a high full toss that nearly resulted in an injury. The incident highlighted Yadav's willingness to contribute in all aspects of the game.Yadav's bowling adventure didn't end there. In a T20 match against Sri Lanka last month, he surprised many by bowling and even completing a Super Over. However, his bowling exploits in the Buchi Babu tournament were overshadowed by Mumbai's struggles against a dominant TNCA XI.Despite Himanshu Singh's five-wicket haul, TNCA XI posted a commanding first innings total exceeding 350 runs. R Sai Kishore then spearheaded the bowling attack, dismantling Mumbai's batting lineup, which folded for a paltry 156 runs.While the team's performance was underwhelming, the tournament holds significant weight for Suryakumar Yadav's Test aspirations. Having made his Test debut earlier this year against Australia, Yadav is aiming for a recall to the Indian Test squad for the upcoming Bangladesh series.With his inclusion in the Duleep Trophy squad, Yadav views the Buchi Babu tournament and the upcoming first-class competition as crucial opportunities to showcase his red-ball prowess and solidify his position in the Test team. Whether Yadav can replicate his limited-overs success in the longer format remains to be seen, but his participation in the Duleep Trophy indicates a clear intention to excel in red-ball cricket.

TNCA XI, led by three half-centurions, put up a formidable 294 for five on the opening day of the Buchi Babu tournament fixture against Mumbai in Chennai.Pradosh Ranjan Paul (65 off 87 balls) and B. Indrajith (61 off 115 balls) shared a 74-run stand for the third wicket, while No. 5 batter Boopathi Vaishna Kumar (63 not out off 121 balls) remained unbeaten at stumps.Paul, known for his late cuts and quick running, played a patient innings, hitting four boundaries and seven twos. He was eventually trapped in front of the wicket by Tanush Kotian.Indrajith, who has been in impressive form with three consecutive fifty-plus scores, was dismissed by off-spinner Himanshu Singh after a chanceless knock.The day's proceedings were briefly interrupted by a drizzle in the afternoon. However, the highlight of the day came at the end of the 90th over.Shreyas Iyer, bowling with an action similar to Sunil Narine, was fielding in the deep-midwicket boundary. Suryakumar Yadav, who was fielding nearby, was swarmed by young fans seeking autographs and pictures.Undeterred, Iyer continued to bowl while Yadav obliged as many requests as possible. As the final ball of the day was bowled, R. Sonu Yadav deposited it over Suryakumar's head, sending the fans into a frenzy.The match is poised for an exciting second day at the Sri Ramakrishna College Cricket Ground.

On a deteriorating pitch at the Sri Ramakrishna College ground, Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) XI set a formidable target of 353 runs for Haryana in the Buchi Babu tournament. TNCA XI's innings was anchored by B. Indrajith's unbeaten 75 runs, which included three boundaries and a six.Haryana had been bowled out for 218 in their first innings, giving TNCA XI a crucial 175-run lead. Captain R. Sai Kishore was the star performer with the ball, taking seven wickets for 76 runs. He dismissed Jayant Yadav (65) and Dheeru Singh (74), two of Haryana's top scorers.TNCA XI's second innings got off to a shaky start as openers S. Lokeshwar and G. Ajitesh were dismissed early. However, Pradosh Ranjan Paul (44) and Indrajith steadied the ship with a 46-run third-wicket partnership. Indrajith also shared an unbeaten 55-run sixth-wicket stand with R. Sonu Yadav, guiding TNCA XI to a commanding position.Haryana's bowlers struggled to contain TNCA XI's batsmen, with Nishant Sindhu and Jayant Yadav taking two wickets each. However, the target proved too daunting for Haryana, who were bowled out for 16 runs in their second innings.