Ranji Trophy: Raj praises Yuvraj and Indrajith for showing the way

B. Indrajith, whose unruffled 167-ball 59 took Tamil Nadu closer to parity against Railways, said batting was “not easy” at the MAC Stadium on Tuesday.

“Both teams only played around 50-60 overs. It’s that kind of a pitch. So, on a surface like this, whoever gets their eye in has to take it forward,” Indrajith said after the second day’s play of this Ranji Trophy Elite Group D game.

On regularly using his feet to counter spin, Indrajith added: “It helps me because I can get to the pitch of the ball. If we let the bowlers bowl at one fixed spot on this kind of a pitch, one delivery will eventually get you out.”

Railways opener S. Yuvraj Singh, too, took the ‘better safe than sorry’ approach. Raj Choudhary, who shone with a five-for, rated Yuvraj’s 155-ball 42 higher than Zubair Ali Khan’s power-packed 121-ball 75 in the first innings, especially considering the nature of the surface.

“Forty-two runs on this wicket is equivalent to a 70 or 80 on a normal track. Yuvraj’s runs came when the ball was turning significantly more,” Raj said. “Batting on that pitch required balance... the way Indrajith and Yuvraj played. They both didn’t attack recklessly and played according to the merit of the ball.”

With one wicket in hand, Railways may not be able to add a lot more to its tally. Raj, however, is unperturbed. “We have taken a 120-run lead [126]. I think it is a good score, and we are confident we will get them out”.