(MOREPIC1) Face2News/Chandigarh
Despite a brilliant century from opener Shivam Bhambri, UT boys failed to put up a big score against Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy match being played at Salem on Friday. Chandigarh was bowled out for just 204 in response to Tamil Nadu's 301 on the second day, giving the hosts a strong first-innings lead of 97 runs.
Earlier, Chandigarh kicked off with a poor start when Tushar Joshi returned without troubling the scorer. Skipper Manan Vohra then provided some stability with Bhambri, adding a 97-run partnership. Vohra (34) became Mohammed's second victim, leaving the team at 105/2. Kaushik and Kunal Mahajan added 71 runs for the third wicket to raise a hope for a bigger total. However, Bhambri's dismissal at the team score of 176 dashed Chandigarh's game plan.
Bhambri scored a brilliant 108 off 139 balls which includes three sixes and 11 fours. After his dismissal, the team lost its remaining seven wickets for next 28 runs, thanks to outstanding bowling performances by Ajith Ram (5/34) and Sai Kishore (3/48). Sai Kishore struck middle-order batsmen Ankit Kaushik (2) and Mayank Sidhu (0) in a single over while Ajith Ram dismissed set batter Kunal Mahajan (30) and cleaned up the lower order – Jagjit Singh Sandhu (14), Vishu (7), Rohit Dhanda (0) and Abhishek Saini (0)
Host also launched its second innings in a dismal note when UT's pace battery Jagjit Singh Sandhu dismissed Mohammed Ali (3). Later Nishunk Birla provided the second breakthrough by removing PR Paul (8). Tamil Nadu had scored 27/2 runs before the stumps were drawn. The team has extended their overall lead of 124 runs.
