CRICKET | Tanmay’s 15th Ranji Trophy ton powers Hyderabad to position of strength

Tanmay Agarwal's century leads Hyderabad to 244/5 against Andhra in Ranji Trophy match.

Tanmay Agarwal cracked his 15th Ranji Trophy century (124 batting, 240b, 10x4, 1x6) in his 64th match to help Hyderabad score 244 for five against Andhra at close of play on the first day of their four-day Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here on Wednesday.

Tanmay, who was lucky to see second slip Karan Shinde drop a regulation catch off pacer Mohammed Rafi when he was on 20, made Andhra pay a heavy price as the innings progressed.

Andhra’s catching in the morning session was pathetic, with the other Hyderabad opener Abhirath Reddy dropped twice — first on eight at deep square-leg off Tripurana Vijay and then Abhishek Reddy flooring another chance at slip off pacer Rafi when on 20.

At the other end, a more confident Tanmay launched into some authentic strokes, especially off Vijay, including a six over long-off.

On a pitch which offered a little help, pacer Rafi was easily the best, testing even the well-set Tanmay with a teasing off-stump line many times. Left-arm spinner A. Lalith Mohan was handled with ease.

At the stroke of lunch, Abhirath (35, 114b, 3x4, 1x6) went for an unwanted heave only to be caught at point of a leading edge off Vijay while Rohit Rayudu (0) was surprised by the one that bounced a bit to be smartly caught at slip.

Hyderabad captain G. Rahul Singh (1) failed to get going, his intended drive ending up in a simple return catch to Vijay .