Chennai: Andhra Pradesh batsmen survived some anxious moments to secure a draw against a strong Tamil Nadu on the final day of their opening Ranji Trophy Group C match here on Monday.
An improved batting performance in the second innings by the host after conceding a 133-run first innings lead saw it set Andhra a target of 218 in 39 overs for an outright win. Baba Aparajith made an unbeaten 108 while skipper Abhinav Mukund missed out on a ton, falling for 95 and Test opener Murali Vijay came back after retiring hurt yesterday after appearing to roll his ankle to score a sparkling half-century.
In Group D, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh played a draw with the latter bagging three points because of their first innings lead while Punjab was given one point.
At stumps on day three, Punjab scored 484/6, trailing by 245 runs at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. On the final day, Himachal declared their innings for 729/8. But their bowlers failed to put up a good show and only managed to scalp six wickets which resulted in a draw.
The match between Jammu and Kashmir and Rajasthan also ended in a draw, after Rajasthan’s batsmen applied themselves on the fourth and final day.
J&K added four runs to their overnight score and declared for 436 for 8. After that, Rajesh Bishnoi and Mahipal Lomror safely saw out the day for Rajasthan with an unbroken 177-run partnership. Bishnoi (101) scored his third first-class hundred, while Lomror played a steady 65 not out.
In Group D, Goa and Chhattisgarh, Bengal and Services also played a dull draw. But because of the first innings lead against Services, Bengal got three points while Services had to settle with one.
The group A match between Delhi and Assam here was also a draw. Delhi were 49/2 in the second innings when the umpires decided to end the match.
It was a different result in the Group c match between Baroda and Madhya Pradesh as the latter defeated Baroda by eight wickets on the final day of the match in Indore.
