Ranji Trophy: Tamil Nadu take first innings lead over Baroda

Chennai: Dinesh Karthik narrowly missed out on a century but Tamil Nadu managed to take a 71-run first-innings lead over Baroda on the third and penultimate day of their Group B Ranji Trophy match here on sunday.

Karthik was the lone batsman to take the hosts past Baroda`s first innings total of 162, even as other batsmen failed to reach the double-digit mark, except for M Rangarajan (10). Tamil Nadu`s first innings folded for 233 as Baroda skipper Yusuf Pathan wreaked havoc with figures of six for 84, while Bhargav Bhatt chipped in with three for 79. Karthik, who scored a 150-ball 92 (8X4, 3X6), put on a solid 83-run stand for the fourth wicket with Baba Indrajith, followed by another valuable 39 runs for the sixth wicket with Rangarajan. Resuming on 101 for five, Karthik, starting on 23, went on to play a patient knock, while Indrajith, who was unbeaten on 23 last night, could add just 15 more runs before getting out for 38 (99b, 5X4). Baroda, in their second innings, reached 73 for one at close of play today. After opener Saurabh Wakaskar (20) got out, Dhiren Mistry and Aditya Waghmode made sure there was no further damage on the day. While Mistry was unbeaten on 29, Waghmode was on 19 when the stumps were drawn. Brief scores: Baroda: 162 & 73 for one in 33 overs (Dhiren Mistry batting 29), Tamil Nadu 1st innings: 233 all out (Dinesh Karthik 92, Baba Indrajith 38; Yusuf Pathan 6/84).