Ranji Trophy | Vimal and Athish help Tamil Nadu fight back after Atit’s century

Atit Sheth led from the front for Baroda with a stodgy century (109, 241b, 11×4) and steered his side to a first-innings total of 375 against Tamil Nadu on day two of the final Ranji Trophy league (Elite Group A) encounter here at the Salem Cricket Foundation ground on Friday.

For the hosts, 17-year-old off-spinner J. Hemchudeshan was the pick of the bowlers, scalping six wickets (36.3-5-120-6) — his maiden five-for — while skipper R. Sai Kishore accounted for the rest.

In reply, TN openers R. Vimal Khumar (66 batting) and S.R. Athish (42 batting) showcased their free-flowing strokeplay to take the home team to 118 without loss at stumps.

Vimal punched regally off the back foot for a few boundaries, while the aggressive Athish ramped the pacers over slips and charged down the track to loft Ninad Rathva over the ropes.

TN’s approach was in stark contrast to Baroda’s earlier in the day.

Unlike on the opening morning, there was no assistance from the pitch for the TN bowlers on Friday, despite a new cherry at their disposal.

The placid conditions made life easier for overnight batters Atit and Sukirt Pandey, but the duo were content to score at a glacial pace, showing little urgency.

Atit, who received a reprieve on 14 on day one, compounded TN’s misery through his solid defence. He picked up the occasional boundary, driving with assurance when the bowlers overpitched.

It was only late in the opening session that the home team got a breakthrough when Sai Kishore had Pandey (84) stumped, ending their 124-run stand.

Post lunch, Atit first reverse-swept and then cut Hemchudeshan to the fence to bring up his fourth first-class century.

At the other end, Akshay More supported his skipper and took on the spinners, lofting Hemchudeshan over midwicket for a maximum.

The youngster, though, had the final say, first castling More and then trapping Atit in front to complete his five-wicket haul.

The scores:

Baroda —1st innings: Jyotsnil Singh c Andre b Hemchudeshan 10, Shivalik Sharma c Andre b Hemchudeshan 35, Shashwat Rawat st. Athish b Hemchudeshan 5, Sukirt Pandey st. Athish b Sai Kishore 84, Vishnu Solanki c Andre b Sai Kishore 9, Ninad Rathva lbw b Sai Kishore 66, Atit Sheth lbw b Hemchudeshan 109, Akshay More b Hemchudeshan 40, Mahesh Pithiya c Nidhish b Hemchudeshan 12, Bhargav Bhatt c Andre b Sai Kishore 0, Babashafi Pathan (not out) 0; Extras (lb-4, nb-1): 5; Total (in 141.3 overs): 375.

Fall of wickets: 1-25, 2-50, 3-55, 4-72, 5-157, 6-281, 7-351, 8-368, 9-369.

Tamil Nadu bowling: Sonu Yadav 16-5-48-0, Govinth 17-5-38-0, Hemchudeshan 36.3-5-120-6, Sai Kishore 38-7-90-4, Vidyuth 26-7-50-0, Pradosh 5-1-14-0, Nidhish 3-0-11-0.

Tamil Nadu — 1st innings: S.R. Athish (batting) 42, R. Vimal Khumar (batting) 66; Extras (b-9, nb-1): 10; Total (for no loss in 36 overs): 118.

Baroda bowling: Babashafi 7-0-19-0, Pithiya 12-2-30-0, Bhatt 5-0-19-0, Atit 5-0-19-0, Rathva 6-1-14-0, Jyotsnil 1-0-8-0.

Published – January 30, 2026 11:45 pm IST