Ranji Trophy: Tamil Nadu hold edge against struggling MP in Group B

Indore: Tamil Nadu held the upper hand as they left Madhya Pradesh struggling at 221/7 after declaring their first innings at a mammoth 532/8 in their Group B Ranji Trophy match here today.

The experienced Devendra Bundela, leading the side, seemed to be waging a lone battle as he remained unbeaten on 64 at stumps on day 3. Naman Ojha was dismissed after making 41 while three other batsmen got out in their 20s at the Holkar Cricket Stadium. Bundela hit eight fours and two sixes while Ojha struck six boundaries and a six. Giving Bundela company at stumps was Anand Rajan, who was batting on 29 off 91 balls. Rajan hit six fours during his stay in the middle. For Tamil Nadu, left-arm spinner R Aushik Srinivas emerged as the day`s best bowler, returning impressive figures of 3/38. The wily L Balaji had two wickets to his name while there was one for Sunil Sam. Madhya Pradesh`s middle-order batsman Mohnish Mishra could not open his account as he was run out by Vijay Shankar. Tamil Nadu declared their innings at the start of the day`s play, with Subramaniam Badrinath scoring a monumental 248. Baba Aparajith made 118 as Tamil Nadu put up a huge score to ensure themselves of at least the first-innings lead if not an outright win.