Tamil Nadu's Desperate Measures Bring Batting Relief
After enduring a disappointing Ranji Trophy campaign marked by consistent batting collapses, Tamil Nadu finally witnessed their batsmen come good against Uttar Pradesh in Coimbatore. The team, winless in four matches with just four points, resorted to some unconventional methods to change their fortunes ahead of this crucial fifth-round encounter.
Unconventional Strategies and Early Trouble
In a surprising move, Tamil Nadu opted to use the away dressing room instead of their usual home facility at the Coimbatore ground. This bizarre tactical tweak was accompanied by changes in the batting order as the team sought to break their poor run of form. However, the initial signs weren't promising as Tamil Nadu found themselves in familiar territory at 20/3 within the first hour after winning the toss and choosing to bat.
The early dismissals of B Sachin, N Jagadeesan, and Pradosh Ranjan Paul – all caught in the cordon off UP seamers Aaqib Khan and Kunal Tyagi – threatened another batting collapse. Tamil Nadu's batting has been brittle throughout the season, with sequences like 23/6, 60/4, and 252/3 to 291 all out becoming frustratingly common.
The Recovery Partnership That Changed the Game
Facing yet another crisis, Tamil Nadu made an unexpected move by sending spinner P Vidyuth to bat at number 5. His role was clear: weather the storm and stabilize the innings. Vidyuth delivered exactly what was required, facing 79 balls for his 11 runs and providing the resistance Tamil Nadu desperately needed.
This defensive effort created the platform for Baba Indrajith and Andre Siddharth to build a match-changing partnership. The pair, both talented batsmen who have experienced indifferent seasons, finally found their rhythm against the Uttar Pradesh attack.
The partnership faced an early setback when Indrajith had to retire hurt on 10 after being hit in the box, but Siddharth took charge during this period. Playing with freedom and confidence that had been missing, Siddharth reached his fifty with seven boundaries, setting the tempo for Tamil Nadu's recovery.
Centuries of Contrasting Styles
When Vidyuth departed after contributing to a 44-run stand – the highest partnership till that point – Indrajith returned to the crease and took command of the innings. The 31-year-old batsman, who went past 5,000 Ranji Trophy runs during his unbeaten knock, initially played cautiously before unleashing his attacking game against the spinners.
Indrajith proved particularly destructive against the slower bowlers, hammering 5 sixes on his way to a century off 136 deliveries. His acceleration was remarkable – after taking 89 balls for his first fifty, he needed just 47 deliveries for his second fifty.
Siddharth, meanwhile, adopted a different approach after reaching his fifty. With the field spread out, he focused on rotating the strike and scored only three boundaries and a six during the second half of his innings. His first century of the season came off 179 balls, with his second fifty taking 97 deliveries after reaching the initial milestone in 82 balls.
Speaking after the day's play, Siddharth revealed the team's changed approach: "I didn't try too much. Vidyuth was just telling me to play normally. He was just telling me to smile and play. That was my main mantra. The captain, batting coach and bowling coach backed me to play freely. They were like even if I get zero while doing what you are going to do, it is fine. Before that, there were restrictions on how I should play."
The day ended with Tamil Nadu at 282/5, though they suffered a late setback when Siddharth was dismissed in the final over of the day for 121, picking out the fine-leg fielder while playing a flick shot. Indrajith remained unbeaten on 128, having guided his team to their most competitive batting performance of the season.
