Gujarat in winning position, SPIC TNCA XI force lead

Chennai, Aug 27 (UNI) Gujarat pushed Combined Districts XI to the brink with the latter tottering at 165 for five in their second innings after conceding a lead of 156 while SPIC TNCA XI gained a crucial first innings lead of 122 runs bowling out Andhra for 273 after scoring 397 for seven, on the second day in the semi finals of the Mindtek-Buchi Babu All India cricket tournament here today.

At stumps, in a match which started 30 minutes late due to overnight rain, SPIC TNCA XI were three without loss in 1.1 overs in their second innings.

In what was an absorbing day's play at the Sri Ramachandra Medical College grounds, Districts were just 29 rpt two nine runs ahead with only five wickets in hand and 17 overs remaining off the stipulated 45 overs in their innings. E Suresh came to the side's rescue with an unbeaten 71(65 balls, three fours, four sixes, while G Vighnesh made 32(25 balls, two fours, three sixes) and V Devendran 28 off 23 balls.

Gujarat had the Districts on a leash hitting up 374 in 89.3 overs in their first innings, resuming at the overnight score of 82 for 2.

Both the overnight batsmen Akash Christian and Bhavik Thakkar played brilliant knocks, the former scoring 116(213 balls, 13 fours) and the latter making 159 (164 balls, 18 fours, five sixes) to send the Districts bowlers on a leather hunt.

Akash and Bhavik put on 269 runs for the third wicket off 62,5 overs. Then Kiran Damani chipped in with a useful 39 (58 balls, five fours). For the Districts XI For the Districts team, captain R Satish came with an all round performance bagging five wickets for 70 runs sharing the new ball with G Vighnesh who claimed 3-69.

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