Himanshu Rana (46 n.o., 151b, 5×4) and Sarvesh Rohilla’s (21 n.o., 70b, 3×4) unbroken 68-run sixth-wicket partnership kept the bowlers at bay to help Haryana carve out a draw against a spin-heavy TNCA XI led by skipper and left-arm spinner R. Sai Kishore on the fourth and final day in the second round of the Buchi Babu tournament at the Sri Ramakrishna College ground here on Saturday.
On a pitch that offered spin, bounce, and bite, Haryana needed a miracle to survive, let alone chase a daunting 353. And survive it did.
Resuming at 16 for two, Haryana’s opener, Mayank Shandilya (45, 235b, 3×4) and all-rounder Nishant Sindhu (27, 64b, 4×4) blocked and left well against the TNCA XI’s tweakers in the first hour of play, adding 44 runs for the third wicket. Off-spinner S. Lakshay Jain broke the stand when he trapped Nishant in front with a slightly faster delivery that skidded off the surface.
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Dheeru Singh (21, 58b, 1×4, 1×6) joined Mayank as the duo managed to survive the first session, with Haryana going to lunch at 96 for three.
However, the crucial 40-run fourth-wicket partnership was broken in the second over after lunch when Sai Kishore brought in left-arm spinner P. Vidyuth, who removed Dheeru with a delivery that kept low and had leg-before.
Lakshay then sent back the well-set Mayank, who looked to defend a well-flighted delivery, only to be trapped in front just before the Tea break.
With a misbehaving surface and the Haryana batters looking to defend rather than scoring runs, Sai Kishore probably missed a trick by not applying more pressure.
The scores:
TNCA XI 393 & 177/5 decl. drew with Haryana 218 & 201/5 in 103 overs (Mayank Shandilya 45, Himanshu Rana 46 n.o.).
