Skipper Abhinav Mukund led from the front with a patient century to help Tamil Nadu reach a strong position on the second day of their Group A Ranji Trophy cricket match against Uttar Pradesh here today.
At stumps, Tamil Nadu were 360/7 in reply to Utaar Pradesh's first-innings score of 182 all out, a lead of 178 runs with three wickets remaining at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Baba Indrajith was batting on 77 and Malolan Rangarajan was giving him company on 16 at close of play.
Besides Mukund and Indrajith, Baba Aparajith contributed with a knock of 59 off 144 balls, hitting four boundaries and two sixes.
Starting at an overnight score of 53/2 with Mukund (26) and Baba Aparajith (1) at the crease, the hosts have so far batted for 122 overs.
During his 277-ball innings, Mukund found the fence 11 times. By the end of day's play, Indrajith had hit eight boundaries while facing 118 balls.
Mukund and Aparajith added 127 runs for the third wicket, the highest so far in the match, while Indrajith and Rangarajan had stitched an unbroken partnership of 53 runs for the eighth wicket.
Slow left-arm spinner Ali Murtaza was the most impressive bowler for Uttar Pradesh, returning figures of 4/117 in 42 overs.
