Ranji Trophy: TN make 294/4 against MP on Day 1

Chennai: A strong top-order batting with Murali Vijay top scoring with his 83-run knock helped Tamil Nadu reach 294 for four against Madhya Pradesh on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match, on Wednesday.

Apart from Vijay, Kaushik Gandhi (80) and Dinesh Karthik (60 batting) struck half-centuries as the hosts replied confidently after being asked to bat. Gandhi, who made his first-class debut only last month, put on an 88 run partnership with Vijay after the hosts had lost opener Abhinav Mukund (21). Kaushik also put on 63 runs with S Badrinath (32) before the latter was scalped by Amarjeet Singh. Karthik, who came to crease at the fall of Badrinath, was unbeaten 60 along with R Prasanna (10) at close of play. For MP, paceman Amarjeet Singh was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 2/79 in 19 overs. Brief scores: Tamil Nadu 1st innings: 294 for 4 in 90 overs (M Vijay 83, K Gandhi 80, D Karthik batting 60) vs Madhya Pradesh (Amarjeet Singh 2/79). PTI