Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Vijay’s fifer, Rasheed’s fifty keep Andhra in driver’s seat vs Hyderabad on Day 2
The HinduIt was Andhra’s day as first off-spinner Tripurana Vijay claimed his maiden five-wicket haul and then Shaik Rasheed scored a fluent unbeaten half-century as it scored 168 for two in the first innings in reply to Hyderabad’s 301 on the second day of the four-day Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here on Thursday. The 23-year-old Vijay continued to impress with an immaculate, teasing line and length to return with his career-best figures in First Class cricket as the home team scored only 57 runs losing the last five wickets in 15.4 overs this morning. Then, the other opener Abhishek Reddy and the classy Rasheed batted sensibly to put on 67 runs for the second wicket before the former was trapped lbw by left-arm spinner G. Anikethreddy by that one kept low. Combining rock-solid defence and excellent stroke play, Rasheed in the company of Shinde denied Hyderabad any further success with the bowlers clearly struggling on a pitch which offered little help.