Chennai: Opener Abhinav Mukund scored a half-century as former champions Tamil Nadu reached 144 for four on a weather-hit opening day of their Elite Group A Ranji Trophy cricket match against Railways, here on Sunday.
On a day when only 151 minutes of play was possible due to drizzle and bad light, last match centurian Mukund made 57 off 142 balls, hitting four boundaries and two sixes.
The 24-year-old was dismissed after he snicked to an incoming delivery from leg-spinner Aasish Yadv and Mahesh Rawat took a neat catch behind the wickets.
At close, Baba Indrajith (39) and captain R Prasanna (zero) were at the crease when played was called off.
Earlier, Railway captain and wicket-keeper Mahesh Rawat analysed the pitch conditions and played with four spinners after Tamil Nadu elected to bat first.
Mahesh's decision to bring on off-spinner Arnab Nandi alongside medium pacer Anureet Singh paid off in the sixth over of the day when Railways scalped the wicket of opener Bharath Shankar (4).
With Nandi operating, Mahesh placed Anustup Majumdar at forward short-leg and Shankar played a turning ball defensively, only to give an easy catch to Majumdar.
First down batsman Baba Aparajith stayed on the crease for sometime before deciding to step out to hit Arnab Nandi. He ended up giving a catch to the bowler. His individual 27 came off 46 balls and contained two fours and a six.
Dinesh Karthik, who had rescued Tamil Nadu to manage a draw against Madhya Pradesh in their last match, was adjudged leg before the wicket to Aasish Yadav when he was 15 (2x4).
Railway spinners Arnab Nandi (2/62) and Aasish Yadav (2/49) were the wicket takers.
Brief Score:
Tamil Nadu 1st innings: 144-4 in 49 overs (A Mukund 57; A Yadav 2/49).
