It was almost a tragic century from Sridharan Sriram on the fourth day of Tamil Nadu's Ranji Trophy quarter-final against Railways on Friday at Delhi.

Railways, having taken a first-innings lead of 147 runs, are almost sure-fire semi-finalists; the only way they can be eliminated is for Tamil Nadu to win this match, and Sanjay Bangar's mammoth ton may have brought that probability down to an almost non-existent number.

Finally dismissed as the last wicket to fall, Bangar, at the top of the order, made 212 off 487 balls, with 19 fours and three sixes. Tamil Nadu then started their reply, and although the first-wicket stand of 68 provided a decent start, the visitors will have to do a lot more to win this match.

Sriram and J Madanagopal then put on a second-wicket stand of 133 runs. Madanagopal made 56 off 103 balls, hitting five fours and a six in his knock. Sriram completed his century shortly before the close of play.

At stumps, Sriram was unbeaten on 107 off 171 balls, with 13 fours. He was accompanied at the crease by S Sharath on 2. Tamil Nadu reached 204/2 at the close of play, having wiped out the first-innings deficit and leading by 57 runs.

© CricInfo