Ranji Trophy: Dinesh Karthik's ton leads Tamil Nadu to 426/5 against Maharashtra

Dinesh Karthik (File photo)

Kolkata, Feb 26 - Dinesh Karthik's 113 pushed Tamil Nadu to 426 for five against Maharashtra on the second day of their five-day Ranji Trophy semifinal at the Eden Gardens here on Thursday.

Vijay Shankar (91), Ramaswamy Prasanna (64) and Baba Indrajith (68) played crucial roles as Tamil Nadu put up a formidable score.

Continuing from where they had left at 192/3, wicketkeeper-batsman Karthik and Shankar belted the Maharashtra bowlers all around the park. Karthik scored his 22nd first-class hundred that included 16 fours. They ensured that their team get out trouble as they were reduced to 90/3 when Shankar joined Karthik in the middle on the first day.

The 29-year-old Karthik and right-handed batsman Shankar forged a 190-run partnership for the fourth wicket, and when the latter was dismissed by Chirag Khurana, his team were already in a position of strength at 280/4. Karthik, who has played 23 Tests for India, fell to Shrikant Mundhe with Tamil Nadu's scorecard reading 319/5.

Afterwards, Prasanna and the talented Indrajith stitched an unbeaten partnership of 107 runs for the sixth wicket as Maharashtra bowlers toiled hard throughout the day and ended up hunting only two wickets.

Brief Scores: Tamil Nadu 426/5 (Dinesh Karthik 113, Vijay Shankar 91, Ramaswamy Prasanna not out 64, Baba Indrajith not out 68; Chirag Khurana 1/64, Shrikant Mundhe 1/81) against Maharashtra on Day 2