By Admin 
A powerful punch down the ground towards long-off, followed by a boundary for a milestone. Arms raised, a bow — Shubman Gill-style. Tamil Nadu opener R. Vimal Khumar stood tall, soaking in the applause from his teammates after bringing up his maiden hundred (189, 224b, 28×4), while Pradosh Ranjan Paul quietly reached his own landmark (156 batting, 246b, 19×4).
Their commanding 307-run second-wicket stand put Tamil Nadu firmly in control against Nagaland on the opening day of the second-round Ranji Trophy Group A clash at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Grounds here on Saturday.
Stylish and assured, Vimal’s innings was a treat to watch — fluent drives on both sides of the wicket complemented by cuts that pierced the field with precision.
Coming in at a crucial juncture, he provided the stability his side needed at the top.
Drafted in after regular opener B. Sachin was ruled out with chicken-pox, Vimal made the most of his opportunity and found the perfect partner in Pradosh after S.R. Athish departed early. Once settled, the pair batted with authority, rotating the strike intelligently and punishing anything loose, leaving the Nagaland bowlers — pace and spin alike — struggling to find answers.
Pradosh Ranjan Paul and Vimal were in an aggressive frame of mind.
| Photo Credit:
K. MURALI KUMAR
With the sun beating down and the pitch offering little assistance, Vimal shifted gears seamlessly to reach his 150 as the southern side tightened its grip on the contest.
However, the southpaw’s stay came to an end when Ronit More induced an outside edge — a tired-looking stroke in an attempt to up the ante — a soft end to an otherwise commanding innings.
C. Andre Siddarth then joined Pradosh, and the duo put together an unbeaten 62-run third-wicket association, helping Tamil Nadu end the day in a commanding position at 399 for two.
The scores: Tamil Nadu — 1st innings: S.R. Athish c Bist b Odilemba 14, R. Vimal Khumar c Jonathan b More 189, Pradosh Ranjan Paul (batting) 156, C. Andre Siddarth (batting) 30; Extras: (nb-7, w-2, lb-1): 10; Total (for two wkts. in 90 overs): 399.
Fall of wickets: 1-30, 2-337.
Nagaland bowling: More 14.3-2-33-1, Odilemba 13-1-69-1, Jonathan 22.3-2-93-0, Saurav 14-3-52-0, Tahmeed 12-0-68-0, Imliwati 14-0-83-0.
Toss: TN.