Ranji Trophy: Rajasthan picks three points as match peters out into a draw

For Rajasthan, the final day of the Elite Group-D Ranji Trophy match against Tamil Nadu at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium here on Wednesday was a matter of prudence. Assured of three points for its first-innings lead, it batted to set a safe target. Tamil Nadu, needing 282 runs in just under two sessions, chose preservation over adventure. By tea, the captains shook hands, settling for a draw.

In the morning session, Kartik Sharma (42) offered another glimpse of his attacking instinct, standing tall to launch Saravana Kumar over long-off for six. The 20-year-old had supplied a bit of adventure in the final session on Tuesday, hitting Washington Sundar to deep mid-wicket for six before ducking under a bouncer from Deepesh and guiding it over the ’keeper’s head for four.

Time was of the essence if Tamil Nadu was to push for a win, and new coach Yo Mahesh embodied that sense of urgency. Like a football manager on the touchline, he was constantly on the edge. He paced the boundary, relayed instructions, and lived almost every ball on his feet. When Sai Kishore trapped Kartik plumb in front, he was elated.

But Mahipal Lomror brought up his second fifty of the match (84, 170b, 7x4) and added 83 runs for the sixth wicket with Kukna Ajay Singh (32 n.o.).

Lomror’s knock featured a scoop attempt against pace, a pull off Saravana Kumar to wide long-on for four, and back-to-back sweeps off Washington to deep square leg for fours. After lunch, he missed a sweep to be bowled by Washington, prompting Rajasthan to declare.

Tamil Nadu openers Jagadeesan (42 n.o.) and Sai Sudharsan (26 n.o.) put on an unbroken 73-run stand.

The scores:

Rajasthan — 1st innings: 363.

Tamil Nadu — 1st innings: 274.

Rajasthan — 2nd innings: Sachin Yadav b Sai Kishore 0, Rohan Rajbhar st. Jagadeesan b Sai Kishore 10, Sumit Godara c Sonu b Saravana Kumar 2, Karan Lamba b Sonu 13, Mahipal Lomror b Washington 84, Kartik Sharma lbw b Sai Kishore 42, Kukna Ajay Singh (not out) 32; Extras (b-2, lb-5, w-2): 9; Total (for six wkts. decl. in 70.1 overs): 192.

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-3, 3-25, 4-31, 5-109, 6-192.

Tamil Nadu bowling: Sai Kishore 26-3-50-3, Saravana Kumar 10-2-27-1, Washington 19.1-4-44-1, Sonu 7-0-21-1, Deepesh 6-0-38-0, Pradosh Ranjan Paul 2-0-5-0.

Tamil Nadu — 2nd innings: Sai Sudharsan (not out) 26, N. Jagadeesan (not out) 42; Extras (b-2, lb-3): 5; Total (for no loss in 23 overs): 73.

Rajasthan bowling: Suthar 12-4-24-0, Akash 2-0-2-0, Kukna 9-0-42-0.