Ranji Trophy: S.V Rahul’s blockathon denies Punjab first innings lead over Andhra

FILE PHOTO: Partners came and went, but S.V. Rahul refused to budge. With Punjab fielders breathing down his neck, the left-hander turned the final session into a blockathon. | Photo Credit: K V S Giri

There was jeering, howling and plenty of chatter, with Punjab’s fielders crowding the bat. But amidst all the noise, only one bat did the talking — that of Andhra’s S.V. Rahul (76 n.o., 159b, 6x4, 1x6).

For nearly 54 overs, Rahul was resolute in defence and rotated the strike when required, first with skipper Ricky Bhui and then with the tailenders, as the visitor finished on 505 for eight, denying the host a first-innings lead on the final day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group B fourth-round encounter at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium here on Thursday.

Partners came and went, but Rahul refused to budge. With fielders breathing down his neck, the left-hander turned the final session into a blockathon, frustrating the increasingly desperate hunt for wickets.

Earlier, overnight batters Shaik Rasheed (176, 333b, 19x4) and Karan Shinde (96, 236b, 10x4, 3x6) had laid the foundation for the resistance.

The duo added 228 for the third wicket before Karan fell four runs short of a well-deserved century.

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Rasheed, meanwhile, was a picture of elegance. Quick to pick the length, he got into position early, his head still and his footwork assured. Whether leaning into a drive, defending with a straight bat or putting away a loose delivery, there was an artistry to his stroke play. Even when he went on the offensive, it was pleasing to the eye.

Following Karan’s departure, Ricky joined Rasheed and showed plenty of patience. He left anything outside off-stump alone, defended the good-length deliveries and even used his pads to negotiate the close-in fielders.

With wickets refusing to come, tempers began to flare. Verbal exchanges and finger-pointing followed, prompting the umpires to intervene.

Rasheed eventually departed after lunch, caught behind down the leg side off left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar, ending an innings that had kept the host at arm’s length.

Punjab had spent much of the match calling the shots. But Andhra stood its ground in sheer defiance.