Rain ruins third day's play too after just 8.2overs, TN 324-4

Chennai, Dec 19 (UNI) Heavy rains for the second successive day today under the influence of a low pressure dashed Tamil Nadu's hopes of forcing a crucial outright win against Rajasthan as a mere 8.2 overs were possible in the 41 minutes play on the penultimate day of the four-day Elite Group A Ranji Trophy Cricket tournament here today.

The home team, who had secured their first outright win against Saurashtra last week, needed to win this match to entertain any chances of entering the last four stage.

But the fickle weather conditions ruined Tamil Nadu's party as the home team progressed to 324 for four in 90 overs, resuming from the first day's score of 302 for three in 81.4 overs.

The second day's play yesterday was abandoned without a ball being bowled. With only a day remaining and more rains predicted, the home team was likely to end up with a solitary point from this encounter.

In the 8.2 overs of possible play today, Tamil Nadu lost centurion M Vijay (123, 255 balls, 7x4, 2x4) after he was caught and bowled by Rajasthan left arm spinner Gajendra Singh Rao.

Vijay, resuming at 112 not out, added 11 runs today, while his partner R Srinivasan (25 not out overnight) added five runs to finish on unbeaten 30 (80 balls, 4x4) when rains forced the players off the field.

Play was called off for the day at 1455 hrs.

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