Ranji Trophy: Ton-up Shahrukh & Indrajith make it TN's day

Shahrukh Khan has been Tamil Nadu's go-to man this season. From his last-ball six sealing the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in Tamil Nadu's favour --- to scoring consistently in the ensuing Vijay Hazare Trophy Shahrukh has been in the thick of things. On Saturday, the 26-year-old's blistering 194 (148 balls, 20x4, 10x6) --- his maiden first-class hundred along with Baba Indrajith (117, 17x4, 2x6) helped Tamil Nadu score 494 in their first innings on Day 3 of their Ranji Trophy clash against Delhi in Guwahati.

Tamil Nadu's first innings lead could have been much more than 42 runs if not for Delhi's left-arm spinner Vikas Mishra who shone with figures of 6 for 108. Beginning the day with 377 runs in arrears, Tamil Nadu lost Sai Kishore (11), skipper Vijay Shankar (5) and Kaushik Gandhi (55) to be placed on 162-5. While Sai Kishore was run out, Vikas accounted for Shankar and Kaushik.

Shahrukh, with a well set Indrajith --- batting on 62 --- for company, didn't take long to make his presence felt. Shahrukh's first scoring shot was a boundary over backward point region in the fourth ball he faced. Both Indrajith and Shahrukh matched each other shot-for-shot and their 134-run partnership for the 6th wicket from 146 balls changed the complexion of the contest.

By the time Indrajith departed after scoring his 10th first-class ton, Shahrukh was just 30 away from his maiden ton. Shahrukh switched into top gear during the 178-run seventh wicket stand with N Jagadeesan (50). Shahrukh was particularly severe on Delhi pacers --- Pradeep Sangwan, Kuldip Yadav and Simarjeet Singh.

Out of 194 runs Shahrukh scored, 121 came from the pace trio. By the time, Nitish Rana (2-42) trapped Shahrukh leg-before, Tamil Nadu were placed 474-7. Vikas then