Ranji Trophy | Sai Kishore, Ajith put TN on the cusp of win

Ajith Ram and Sai Kishore help Tamil Nadu bowl out Goa for 168 in Ranji Trophy match.

S. Prasanna Venkatesan

PORVORIM Left-arm spinners Ajith Ram (four for 36) and Sai Kishore (four for 82) helped Tamil Nadu bowl out Goa for 168 in its second innings on day three of the elite Group-C match in the fifth round of the Ranji Trophy at the Goa Cricket Association (GCA) Academy ground here on Sunday.

Centurion in the first innings, Goa opener Suyash Prabhudessai top-scored with 79 (183b, 6x4). He engaged in a 59-run third-wicket partnership with Krishnamurthy Siddharth (32, 55b, 4x4, 1x6), and that was the only frustrating part for Tamil Nadu on the day.

Pacer M. Mohammed had two close leg-before shouts against Prabhudessai, and seemed to trouble him, just like he had done in the first innings.

Prabhudessai had his moments. He remarkably slapped a reverse-sweep off Ajith Ram behind square and swept Sai Kishore to deep backward square boundary for fours.

At times, he failed to connect his reverse-sweep and sweep. It was one such instance that led to him getting dismissed leg- before off Ajith Ram.

Pradosh Ranjan Paul claimed two wickets with his off-spin. Siddharth and Deepraj Gaonkar caught by Baba Indrajith at first- slip.