Tamil Nadu owed their entry into the semi-finals of the 1999-2000 Ranji Trophy tournament to the supreme form of their batsmen and in particular, Sridharan Sriram, who did pretty much what he liked with various bowling attacks to amass 1075 runs during the season.

It was Sriram who gave Tamil Nadu the upper hand in the quarterfinal against Punjab at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Having restricted Punjab to 258 in their first innings, Tamil Nadu captain S Sharath sent Sriram and S Ramesh into the middle. Sriram rose to the occasion to compile an invaluable 155 to help Tamil Nadu to a imposing 346 for 5 at the end of the second day's play. Sriram who lost Ramesh early during the day, kept one end going. He added 150 runs for the second wicket with Hemang Badani (70). Sriram reached his half century in no time, taking just 69 balls to reach the mark.

The left hander then figured in a 55-run third wicket partnership with JR Madanagopal (35). This was followed by a 79-run stand with his skipper. Sriram took another 93 balls to reach his century which included 12 hits to the boundary. Sriram who settled down early, played some exquisite shots while being involved in a keen tussle for supremacy with off spinner Harbhajan Singh.

Tamil Nadu resumed their first innings on the third day, having placed themselves in a commanding position. But they consolidated before being all out at 461. Sriram was finally out for 165 after a 509-minute stay at the crease. He faced 278 balls and hit 12 fours but more significantly he made sure of Tamil Nadu reaching an unassailable position. Moreover, Sriram had special reasons to remember the match, for in the course of his marathon knock, he crossed the coveted 1000 run mark. This was his fifth century of the season in his seventh match.