BHILAI, FEB 23: Madhya Pradesh skipper Chandrakant Pandit's decision to field first after looking at the overcast conditions and a bit of grass on the wicket did not pay much dividends. Hyderabad were 277 for four on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Super League Group C match here at the Jayanti Stadium today.V V S Laxman's dazzling 92 and his 97-run third wicket partnership with Vanka Pratap (51) were the highlights of the day's rather dull proceedings. Madhya Pradesh decided to include injured Amay Khurasia in the eleven but after leggie Narendra Hirwani developed stiffness in his back just before start, the team opted to take field first. But Hyderabad openers Aravind Shetty (32) and D Manohar (31) shattered their hopes with a 65-run stand. In-form Laxman was again on song today.
SCOREBOARDHyderabad (first innings): Arvind Shetty c Chauhan b Yadav 32, Daneil Manohar c Patel b Pandey 31, V V S Laxman lbw b Chauhan 92, Vanka Pratap c Patel b Lahore 51, M V Sridhar batting 33, Nandakishorebatting 20; Extras (b6, nb12) 18
Total (in 90 overs for 4 wickets) 279.
Fall of wickets: 1-65, 2-117, 3-214, 4-227.
Bowling: H B S Sodhi 12-1-38-0, Devendra Bundala 5-0-36-0, Sanjay Pandey 16-2-76-1, Rajesh Chauhan 34-9-78-1, JP Yadav 7-8-17-1, Sunil Lahore 16-4-26-1.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
