Atit's Century and Hemchudeshan's Six-Wicket Haul Boost Baroda Lead
Atit's Century and Hemchudeshan's Six-Wicket Haul Boost Baroda Lead
Baroda ride Atit Sheth’s 109 and Hemchudeshan’s 6-for to set Tamil Nadu a tough target as TN reach 118/0 at stumps on day two in Salem.
Baroda stamped their authority on day two of the Ranji Trophy clash at the Salem Cricket Foundation Ground, riding a stodgy century from Atit Sheth (109 off 241) to a first-innings total of 375. The young Tamil Nadu attack was left chasing a tall order as 17-year-old off-spinner J. Hemchudeshan ripped through Baroda’s lineup, claiming six wickets for 120, his maiden five-for, supported by Sai Kishore who accounted for the rest. Atit, who had earlier weathered the TN pacers, pressed on after lunch with a clinical mix of boundaries and controlled defence. He first brought up his fourth first-class century with a reverse sweep and then a cut off Hemchudeshan, before Akshay More joined in, lofting the spinner for a six. Hemchudeshan had the last say, bowling More and then trapping Atit leg before to complete his six-wicket haul.
In reply, Tamil Nadu reached 118 for no loss at stumps, with openers R. Vimal Khumar on 66 not out and S. R. Athish on 42, showcasing their free-flowing strokeplay in stark contrast to Baroda’s patient, plodding approach earlier in the day. The placid pitch offered little seam movement or assistance to the TN bowlers, allowing the Baroda overnight duo Atit and Sukirt Pandey to each add runs in the morning session before Pandey fell for 84, stumped by Sai Kishore off a Kishore delivery that ended Baroda’s 124-run alliance.
As the third day beckons, Tamil Nadu will look to capitalize on the untested surface and the absence of late swing, while Baroda will aim to press home their advantage by leveraging Hemchudeshan’s spin prowess and Atit’s steady hand at the top of the order.
