Tanay Thyagarajan’s 11-wicket haul powers Hyderabad to 267-run win over Andhra

Hyderabad: Left-arm spinner Tanay Thyagarajan never ceases to disappoint his team as he completed a brilliant 11-wicket haul, his third in first-class cricket, to help Hyderabad trounce Andhra by 267 runs on the fourth day of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match at Mulapadu Cricket Ground (Vijayawada) on Wednesday.

Resuming at the overnight score of seven for two, Andhra never looked to save the game as Tanay struck decisive blows at regular intervals.

The most consistent Hyderabad bowler in recent past struck the first big blow whenhe removed the seasoned campaigner Ricky Bhui (26, 2×4) and then soon had SV Rahlul (11) in quick succession.

Then, the 30-year-old Hyderabad spinner ensured that there was no way Andhra could come back into the game with any thoughts of saving it as he cleaned up Saurabh Kumar (4) and Revanth Reddy (14) to make the hosts’ scoreline look pathetic at 98 for seven in 24.6 overs.

Importantly, the other left-arm spinner G. Anikethreddy (three for 57) proved to be a perfect foil to Tanay, who in the process picked his 14th five-wicket-haul (six for 35) in Ranji Trophy, ensuring that pressure continue to mount at the other end on the batters.

After that it was a mere formality for Mohammed Siraj-led Hyderabad to wrap up the issue despite a modicum of defiance from Venkat Sasikanth (23, 23b, 3×4) and the former Hyderabad left-arm spinner A. Lalith Mohan (17, 15b, 1×4) , now playing for Andhra for the last few seasons, but the writing was clearly on the wall for the home team.

By all means, it was a terrific performance by Hyderabad which now has two outright wins from the first two games of this season, the first one being against Tripura at home.

And, captain Siraj could not have asked for a better start to the team’s campaign this season and that too without the star India batter Tilak Varma.

The scores: Hyderabad 275 in 86 overs & 306/7 decl in 95.3 overs bt Andhra 184 in 63 overs & 130 in 30.5 overs (Tanay Thyagarajan 6/35, G. Anikethreddy 3/57).