After Andhra fell agonisingly short of claiming the first-innings lead on Sunday, the 21-year-old Shaik Rasheed — who had given his all with an unbeaten 87 — said, “We didn’t get the lead, maybe, but we’ll definitely get an outright win!”
Whether it was the boundless optimism of youth or genuine conviction, one wouldn’t know. But barely a day later, his prophecy was fulfilled.
Tamil Nadu was stripped of every morsel of pleasure it had earned on the second day, first being bowled out for 195 after resuming at 102 for three, and then watching Andhra chase down a 201-run target with four wickets in hand on the third day of their Elite Group-A fourth-round Ranji Trophy match at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium here on Monday.
Though Andhra wobbled in its chase after losing four quick wickets to slip from 158 for two to 162 for six, K.S. Raju (20 n.o.) and Ashwin Hebbar (21 n.o.) ensured a safe passage. Raju lofted a four to long on and cracked a six to cow corner off left-arm spinner Sai Kishore when 14 were needed, easing the pressure.
But it was opener Abhishek Reddy’s shooting-star innings (70, 75b, 11×4) that gave Andhra early momentum in the chase. He hit three consecutive fours off pacer Trilok Nag — pull to cow corner and midwicket, a square drive between the point and deep backward point fielders. He charged and hit a straight drive, swept, and played the late cut for three fours off left-arm spinner P. Vidyuth. Abhishek added 72 runs for the second-wicket stand with left-hander Karan Shinde (51, 64b, 8×4).
On a day when some balls stayed alarmingly low, four dismissals came in that fashion. Tamil Nadu’s B. Indrajith (six) and Andre Siddarth (33) were bowled on the back foot by left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar (four for 46) and off-spinner Tripurana Vijay while Andhra’s K.S. Bharat (five) and Rasheed (seven) were cleanedup by R. Sai Kishore and Vidyuth.
The scores: Tamil Nadu — 1st innings: 182
Andhra — 1st innings: 177
Tamil Nadu — 2nd innings: R. Vimal Khumar c Bharat b Raju 20, N. Jagadeesan c Bhui b Prithvi Raj 0, B. Sachin run out 51, Pradosh Ranjan Paul b Prithvi Raj 29, R. Sai Kishore lbw b Saurabh 16, B. Indrajith b Saurabh 6, Andre Siddarth b Vijay 33, R. Sonu Yadav c Bharat b Saurabh 28, P. Vidyuth c Bharat b Vijay 2, H. Trilok Nag c Vijay b Saurabh 3, Sandeep Warrier (not out) 0; Extras (w-2, b-4, lb-1): 7; Total (in 70.3 overs): 195
Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-32, 3-101, 4-109, 5-127, 6-130, 7-190, 8-190, 9-195.
Andhra bowling: Prithvi Raj 14-1-31-2, Saiteja 13-4-33-0, Raju 13-1-44-1, Hebbar 5-1-20-0, Vijay 7-2-16-2, Saurabh 18.3-1-46-4
Andhra — 2nd innings: Abhishek Reddy lbw b Sai Kishore 70, K.S. Bharat b Sai Kishore 5, Karan Shinde c Vimal b Pradosh 51, Shaik Rasheed b Vidyuth 7, Saurabh Kumar c Vidyuth b Sai Kishore 0, Ricky Bhui lbw b Vidyuth 2, Ashwin Hebbar (not out) 21, K.S. Raju (not out) 20; Extras (b-12, lb-9, nb-2, w-2): 25; Total (for six wkts. in 41.2 overs): 201.
Fall of wickets: 1-41, 2-113, 3-158, 4-158, 5-160, 6-162.
Tamil Nadu bowling: Warrier 9-0-59-0, Trilok 2-0-23-0, Sai Kishore 15-0-46-3, Sonu 2-0-12-0, Vidyuth 11.2-0-37-2, Pradosh 2-1-3-1.
Published – November 10, 2025 08:24 pm IST
