Ranji Trophy 2015: Tamil Nadu tweakers spin a web around Baroda on rank turner

Tamil Nadu's spin troika of Rahil Shah, DT Chandrasekhar and Malolan Rangarajan took full advantage of a Chepauk track that was turning square from the very first day as they defended a lowly target of 122 beating Baroda by seven runs.

Chasing a victory target of 122, Baroda were shot out for 114 in 35.4 overs as the match ended inside two and half days. Left-arm spinner Shah took 5/43 in 15.4 overs while offie Malolan Rangarajan grabbed 3/38 in 10 overs. Debutant left-arm spinner Chandrasekhar picked 2/33 as he ended with match-haul of six wickets on debut.

In the match, spinners from either sides snared 36 of the 40 wickets that fell while the pacers accounted for two scalps and the other two being run-outs. Having prepared a bone dry pitch, which showed signs of cracks on the very first day, the strip could be termed as one which borders on being under prepared as some deliveries were turning at right angles, a few jumped viciously off the rough while some of the others kept low.

The testimony to a below standard pitch was the fact that none of the batsmen from either sides got to a half-century and the highest score was Baroda's 159 in the first innings. On the third day, Baroda batsmen found it difficult negotiate the spin trio as Deepak Hooda was the top scorer with 32.

Brief Scores: Tamil Nadu 125 & 155. Baroda 159 & (target 122) 114 all out in 35.4 overs (Deepak Hooda 32, Rahil Shah 5/43, DT Chandrasekhar 2/33, Malolan Rangarajan 3/38). Pts: TN 6; Baroda 0.