PANAJI
The 24-year-old southpaw Abhinav Tejrana headlined the opening day's play with a well-constructed unbeaten century (130*, 225b, 12x4, 2x6) on Ranji debut. His unbroken 176-run fourth-wicket stand with the experienced Lalit Yadav who compiled a patient 80 (174b, 8x4, 2x6) took the home side to respectability at 291-3 at stumps in the opening round Ranji Trophy Elite Group B clash against Chandigarh at the Goa Cricket Association Academy in Porvorim on Wednesday.
Electing to bat, Goa openers, Manthan Khutkar and Suyash Prabhudessai forged a solid 45-run stand for the first wicket. Khutkar fell for 21 caught at first slip by Chandigarh's captain, Manan Vohra off offie Vishu Kashyap. Prabhudessai found an able ally in debutant Tejrana and stitched a 70-run second-wicket alliance, before Vishu struck again. Prabhudessai was out caught at mid wicket by A K Kaushik for a well-made 47. Next man, Kashyap Bhakle did not trouble the scorers and was trapped plumb in front to become Vishu's third victim as Goa were reduced to 115-3. The home side went for lunch with an addition of seven runs to the total with new man, Lalit Yadav on 4 and Abhinav Tejrana growing in confidence on 41. Earlier in the session, Tejrana survived a chance offered to Shivam Bhambri at long off when on 29 off Vishu.
Tejrana along with Lalit did an admirable repair job taking the home side to tea at 215-3 with an unbroken 100-run stand. Tejrana was on a well-set 88 and Lalit provided support on 47.
The well-set duo continued to grind the visitors and took Goa to stumps at 291-3 with Tejrana on 130 and Lalit on 80. The last session yielded 76 runs for the home side without further loss.
For the visitors, off-break Vishu Kashyap was the only bowler to taste success with returns of 3-86 from 25 overs.
Speaking to The Goan at the end of the opening day's play, stand-in Goa captain Deepraj Gaonkar was a pleased man. "The day has been very good. The start provided by our openers, Manthan and Suyash was good, and capitalised later by Suyash and Tejrana with a 70-run stand. Tejrana and Lalit played throughout the day and that was great for us," Gaonkar stated.
Asked on their approach going into Day 2, the Goa captain said, "It is a good wicket to bat on, and we would like to bat as long as possible. We will plan accordingly." 24-year-old southpaw Abhinav Tejrana backed his instincts and cashed in on a good batting wicket to notch up a century on Ranji debut.
The Porvorim-based Tejrana who warmed up to his maiden season in First Class cricket with strong pre-season performances, struck an unbeaten 130 from 225 deliveries with his essay laced with 12 hits to the ropes and two maximums.
Speaking on his debut in First Class Cricket, Tejrana said, "I was a bit nervous in the beginning. But as the innings progressed, I stayed calm with Suyash and Lalit helping me to stay composed."
"I backed my instincts, and gradually grew more confident," the one-down batter added.. With the score at 115-3 and having survived a chance on 29, he revealed that he resorted to a positive approach. "I just wanted to play my natural game and build a partnership at that point. Lalit helped a lot and told me to play my shots. I became confident at that point in time.Gradually, the wicket was easier to bat on," Tejrana stated.
On his gameplan entering Day 2, Tejrana divulged,"I will play on merit of the ball and bat and play as long as we can."
BRIEF SCORES
>Goa, 1st innings. 291-3 in 86 overs (Abhinav Tejrana 130*, Lalit Yadav 80*, Suyash Prabhudessai 47; Vishu Kashyap 3/86 ) vs Chandigarh
