AGENCY
VADODARA: After Hyderabad’s first six matches of the Ranji Trophy 2016-17, the only top-order batsman in the team to not have a century against his name for the season was. Tanmay Agarwal, a 21-year-old left-hand opening batsman with a fine and composed effort gave Hyderabad’s the edge after an attritional first day’s play in the Group C game against Jammu and Kashmir at Moti Bagh Cricket Stadium, here on Tuesday.
The day began with J&K opting to field on a pitch that had a tinge of grass, and ended with Hyderabad on 234 for 3 from 90 overs. Agarwal was a constant through the day and remained unbeaten on 106 from 275 balls – his fifth century in first-class cricket, while B Sandeep, who was yet to get off the mark, was giving him company at stumps.
That 60 of Agarwal’s 106 runs came through boundaries says everything about his patience. In the process, he was also involved in two big partnerships – 105 with S Badrinath (47) in the first half of the day, and 93 with B Anirudh (46) later on.
The first hour was a mini-portrait of the day, with J&K’s bowlers exerting relentless pressure but Hyderabad’s batsmen standing firm. Agarwal was solid and found the fence occasionally with some delightful drives, while Akshath Reddy held on despite some testing times, which included a dropped catch in the slip cordon off Suhil Andleeb, the pacer.
score board
Hyderabad 1st innings
TD Agarwal not out 106
PA Reddy c Harmeet Singh b Beigh 18
S Badrinath* lbw b Parvez Rasool 47
B Anirudh lbw b Parvez Rasool 46
BP Sandeep not out 00
Extras 17
Total 234/3
