Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Karan, Prithivi keep Andhra at an advantage against Pondicherry on Day 3

Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Karan, Prithivi keep Andhra at an advantage against Pondicherry on Day 3

Southpaw Karan Shinde’s composed unbeaten 86 and his unbroken century partnership with K.V. Sasikanth helped Andhra recover in the second innings after finding itself in a spot of bother against Pondicherry on the third day of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group ‘B’ match at the CAP Siechem stadium here on Saturday.

Left-arm medium-pacer Yarra Prithvi Raj (five for 64) was the star performer. He ensured that the visiting team secured the crucial innings lead as Pondicherry was bowled out for 260 after resuming at the overnight 209 for five.

Armed with a lead of 43, Andhra began in an enterprising manner in the second innings as K. S. Bharat, pushed up the order, and Abhishek Reddy went on the attack.

Abhishek smacked a six off medium-pacer Abin Mathew and looked good for more before Gourav Yadav trapped him leg-before wicket for 15.

Bharat hit some pleasing shots and picked up runs at a brisk pace with first innings centurion Shaik Rasheed (26) before left-arm spinner Ankit Sharma (two for 56) trapped him in front of the wickets.

Captain Hanuma Vihari endured a second straight failure, as he was dismissed for a duck by Ankit to leave Andhra at 142 for five and provide a small opening for the host team.

However, Karan and Sasikanth, riding the confidence of a superb 99 (not out) in the first innings, took the score to 248 for five, an overall lead of 291.

Earlier, the home team’s hopes of surpassing Andhra’s score rested on captain K.B. Arun Karthick and Aman Khan but they fell to spinner Lalith Mohan and Prithvi Raj, respectively, in quick succession, ending their chances of doing so.