Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Rasheed century takes Andhra out of the woods against Pondicherry

Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Rasheed century takes Andhra out of the woods against Pondicherry

Young opening batter Shaik Rasheed stood tall with a defiant century to pull Andhra out of the woods against Pondicherry on the first day of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group ‘B’ match at the CAP Siechem stadium here on Thursday.

The 20-year-old right-hander fell at the fag end of the day to medium-pacer Abin Mathew (three for 37) for 105 (248b, 7×4) guiding the visiting team to 245 for seven when it slipped to 110 for six in the second session after opting to bat first.

The team’s star batters- Hanuma Vihari, K.S. Bharat and Ricky Bhui- failed to impress against a disciplined Pondicherry bowling attack, which gave nothing away.

Rasheed found an able partner in K.V. Sasikanth (57 batting, 134b, 8×4), who was willing to play the waiting game. The duo gained in confidence after initial period of circumspect batting and Sasikanth hit a few boundaries when loose deliveries came his way. The duo’s 128-run partnership ensured that Andhra took away the advantage gained by Pondicherry.

Rasheed, a member of the victorious India team in the Under-19 World Cup in 2021, underlined his potential with a patient innings.

Earlier, left-arm spinner Sagar Udeshi who was into the attack early, provided the first wicket for the host, when he dismissed Abhishek Reddy (15). Vihari lasted only 15 balls and fell to Albin, edging one to the slips. Karan Shinde, who has been in good form, played confidently before succumbing to a brilliant catch by Arun Karthick off left-arm spinner Ankit Sharma for 25.

Bharat (19) looked to get on with things and smacked a six but was castled soon after by Ankit.

Andhra looked in a spot of bother when Tripurana Vijay was stumped by Arun Karthick for one before Rasheed and Sasikanth got together for the rescue job.

Abin and Ankit scalped three wickets each for the home side while Udeshi had one to his name.