Aparajith, Shahrukh and bowlers shine

TN declares at 470 for nine before leaving Chhattisgarh reeling at 103 for five 

After B. Aparajith (166, 267b, 15x4, 4x6) and M. Shahrukh Khan (69, 105b, 8x4, 2x6) dominated proceedings in the morning session with quick runs, spinners R. Sai Kishore (2/20) and M. Siddharth (2/35) put Tamil Nadu in a strong position at the end of day two of the Ranji Trophy match against Chhattisgarh here at the Nehru Stadium on Friday.

Resuming at 308 for four, TN declared after posting a huge total of 470 for nine before reducing its opponent to 105 for five.

Earlier, overnight showers meant the day’s play started one hour late but once on the field Aparajith and Shahrukh went about the business of building a big first-innings total with ease.

Aparajith, who was batting on 101, found his rhythm immediately with three quick boundaries, including two consecutive ones off pacer Veer Pratap Singh through the on-side.

The all-rounder was in full flow taking on the spinners and lofting a few sixes as TN added 109 runs in just 20 overs in the first session. He got to his 150 after lunch and was dismissed trying to accelerate the scoring.

At the other end, Shahrukh started off with a pull to fine-leg and then essayed an upper-cut off Ravi Kiran. He then slammed Veer Pratap through covers and straight down the ground before pulling Kiran again to get to his half-century.

Chhattisgarh’s innings got off to a poor start when Siddharth, who opened the bowling with Sandeep Warrier, struck in his second over to remove opener Sanidhya Hurkat, trapped leg before with a quick delivery.