Sargun Saroj/Chandigarh

Hosts Tamil Nadu strengthened their hold on the Ranji Trophy clash against Chandigarh on Day 3 at the Salem Cricket Ground on Saturday. Chasing a target of 403 runs in their second innings, UT boys are struggling at 113/5 and still need 290 more runs to win.

Tamil Nadu resumed their overnight score from 27/2. Jagjit Singh Sandhu put the hosts on the back foot early in the session by dismissing Ajith Ram (7) and Baba Indrajith (3), reducing Tamil Nadu to 46/4. However, a crucial 152-run partnership between Vijay Shankar and Narayan Jagadeesan steadied the innings. Vishu Kashyap dismissed Jagadeesan (89) to break the stand. Vijay Shankar then forged another significant 107-run partnership with Andre Siddarth and took the team past 300. Tamil Nadu declared their innings at 305/5. Vijay Shankar remained unbeaten on 150 while Siddarth contributed 36 not out. Sandhu (3/43) was the most successful bowler.

In reply, the visitors struggled against Tamil Nadu’s disciplined bowling attack. Skipper Manan Vohra played a fighting knock of unbeaten 47. Tushar Joshi was dismissed for a duck for the second time in the match while Kunal Mahajan (7) fell cheaply too. Shivam Bhambri who had scored a century in the first innings could only manage 16 this time and left side reeling at 43/3. Ankit Kaushik and Manan Vohra tried to bring some respite with a 64-run partnership but Ankit departed after scoring 37 to reduce the team at 107/4. Shortly, Nishunk Birla was dismissed for a duck.