The Cooch Behar Trophy encounter between Tamil Nadu and Andhra got off to a sedate start at the Guru Nanak Cricket Ground in Chennai. On losing the toss, the home side was asked to have a bat and they began shakily. Stumper KKD Karthik, DP Doss and CA Martin all fell cheaply, leaving Tamil Nadu precariously poised at 53 for 3.

N Sridhar then took on the task of rebuilding the innings. He mixed caution and aggression well, slamming three boundaries and two sixes before he was trapped LBW by Panav Raju (55 runs, 85 balls). Although he played a good hand, it was left arm spinner Vidyuth Sivaramakrishnan who carried Tamil Nadu forward.

The Ranji Trophy cricketer made use of his experience well. Although not known for his batting ability at the highest level, Vidyuth was patient enough to remain unbeaten on 56. He had faced over 125 balls in the process and characteristically his knock included two hits that cleared the ropes.

VS Suri batting at number six did well to safeguard his wicket and was unbeaten on a patient 47 (179 balls) when stumps was called. Tamil Nadu had staged a bit of a recovery to reach 230/5 at the end of the day. Tomorrow will be a key day in this match as the balance could swing either way.

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