Anirudh Singh rescues Hyderabad

Despite a fine century by Anirudh Singh and a polished 60 by debutant Shashank Nag, Hyderabad were bowled out for 231 in their first innings against Maharashtra on the opening day of the four-day Elite 'B' Ranji Trophy match in Hyderabad on Thursday.

The visitors were four without loss at stumps in the match, which goes into record books as the 100th first class match at the Gymkhana ground, starting with Moin-ud-Dowla semi-finals between Hyderabad and Vizianagaram XI in January 1931.

Put in to bat, the hosts' lost opener Daniel Manohar for 16 while the newcomer Shashank dropped anchor at the other end warding off Maharashtra spinner Anupam Sankelcha, who struck lethal blows by claiming three quick wickets.

Shashank was joined by Anirudh when the score was 47 for 4 and the duo pulled out the team out of the woods adding 91 runs for the fifth wicket before Shashank was out for 60.

Shashank faced 171 balls to reach his 60 and stood solid amidst the ruins to push the team to safety along with Anirudh, who compiled a watchful 103, studded with 15 hits to the fence while rest of the batsmen fell prey to some fine bowling by Ranjit Khirid and Anupam, who claimed four wickets each.

Maharashtra openers Dheeraj Jadhav (2) and Kunal Marathe (2) were at crease at the draw of stumps.

 Scorecard

Hyderabad (1st innings):
D Manohar lbw Khirid 11
P Nag c Satbhai b Adhav 60
J Yadav c Jadhav b Siddiqui 2
A Rayudu c Khadkikar b Sanklecha 5
A Yadav b Sanklecha 2
A Singh c Satbhai b Sanklecha 103
I Khaleel c Aphale b Khirid 18
V Raju b Sanklecha 1
M Ghouse c Jadhav b Khirid 11
N Singh b Khirid 0
F Shahnawaz not out 9

Extras: (lb 4, w 1, nb 4) 9

Total: (all out, 85.3 overs, 364 mins) 231

Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-19, 3-43, 4-49, 5-138, 6-185, 7-206, 8-211, 9-212, 10-231.

Bowling: Siddiqui 23-7-55-1, Khirid 25.3-8-76-4, Sanklecha 20-4-47-4, Khadkikar 9-1-30-0, Jadhav 8-3-19-1.

Maharashtra (1st innings):
D Jadhav not out 2
K Marathe not out 2

Extras: 0

Total: (0 wickets, 2 overs) 4

To bat: H Kanitkar, I Siddiqui, N Godbole, K Aphale, R Khirid, K Khadkikar, K Adhav, S Satbhai, A Sanklecha.

Bowling: Singh 1-0-2-0, Shahnawaz 1-0-2-0.