Shoaib helps Andhra win a thriller towards TN

When Day 4 between Tamil Nadu and Andhra started on the Ramakrishna College Grounds on Friday, all issues pointed to an outright winner by the top of the day. And the favourites going into the ultimate day’s play had been hosts Tamil Nadu. Andhra, with a 114 run-lead had six wickets in hand and one among their pacers had a fractured finger. The pitch nearly had all the pieces – there was bounce, flip and it was displaying indicators of damage and tear with a number of cracks within the center.

Andhra would set them a goal of 203.

For Tamil Nadu, such alternatives come uncommon. For all of the sources they’ve in whiteball, in Ranji Trophy they’re a aspect with loads of work to do, particularly with the ball as taking 20 opposition wickets has been a problem.

Here, over the course of the 2 innings, their bowlers did a splendid job. They ensured Andhra didn’t run away with the sport because the guests beginning the day at 162/5 ended up being dismissed for 250 with left-arm spinner Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore returning figures of 5/88 within the second innings. And as TN went again to the dressing room, they had been suitably boisterous.

Little did anybody know by the point the clock struck 4:52 PM, there could be nothing however silence and shocked faces. Definitely not at 3 PM, even when Baba Indrajith was adjudged LBW to offie Shoaib Mohammad Khan with Tamil Nadu positioned at 155/4.

Thrilling finish

They wanted solely 48 extra runs with six wickets in hand. And till Indrajith was dismissed – a debatable choice – the hosts had been cruising. The solely bowler, who was giving them hassle was off-spinner Shoaib, a well-known face for the Tamil Nadu gamers.

The 31-year-old plies his commerce in TNCA First Division for Swaraj CC. Son of former India hockey participant late Usman Khan, who died earlier this yr, Shoaib was raised in Chennai. His alma mater St Bede’s college in Chennai has produced a number of the greatest TN cricketers. In his college days Shoaib was senior to the likes of Indrajith, Baba Aparajith, Washington Sundar and enjoys rapport with the likes of Sai Kishore, Vijay Shankar, L Vignesh amongst others.

“(Hanuma) Vihari had told us to set a target of at least one run above 200 because psychologically it creates an impact. He said don’t even settle for 199 and rest I will take care. But when TN were coasting at 150/3, our shoulders were beginning to drop and luckily I removed Indrajith just before tea,” Shoaib stated.

“So when we had a chat in the dressing room, I was telling the guys that it is still possible to win. There was turn and we needed only three wickets – Vijay, Washington and Pradosh Ranjan Paul – because we knew their tail is weak. Kishore could bat, but with pressure on it is a different game, plus I was going to bowl at him (laughs)” Shoaib added.

The 31-year-old plies his commerce in TNCA First Division for Swaraj CC. (Express Photo)

So even when play started within the closing session, TN remained favourites. But as Vijay and Pradosh perished in successive overs, the tide started to show. And by the point Sai Kishore perished to depart TN at 163/7, it was left to Washington to bail them out.

“Vihari had told us not to panic and just pick those three wickets. We were confident that even if only 10 runs were there and their tail was in, we could still win the game. It was all about maintaining discipline and with (KV) Sasikanth providing the right support from the other end, my job became easier,” Shoaib added.

Vihari too was equally sensible along with his area placements. He made pacer Sasikanth bowl quick and had 4 fielders manning the boundary on the leg-side and a brief mid-wicket in play. As the boundary remained elusive for TN, and Shoaib working a decent line, Andhra surged forward with each over.

While the off-spinner bowled unchanged from one finish and picked up six wickets, TN simply wilted below stress. “We were not able to put pressure on them till the ball got old. Once we did, we didn’t take pedal off the foot,” Shoaib added.

And then there was a little bit of luck too. When Washington and No 10 Ajith Ram had been choosing singles effortlessly and taking them nearer to the goal – simply eight quick – the previous was given out caught behind off Shoaib. The batter objected and took an eternity to depart. “I don’t know if I’m allowed to say, but there was no nick. But earlier, Sai Sudharsan had edged one and that wasn’t given. So I got it back the moment it mattered,” Shoaib stated.

And by the point Washington pulled Sasikanth to the arms of the fine-leg fielder, TN ended up eight runs quick as they suffered a defeat towards all prior pointers.