HYDERABAD: It couldn't have got more tight as there was plenty of drama on the second day's play but in the end
Andhra managed to eke out a one-run first innings lead against Hyderabad in their Col CK Nayudu Trophy match at the CSR Sarma ground in Ongole on Friday.
At stumps, Hyderabad were 46 for two - a lead of 45. Shreyas Vala was batting on 11 and T Krishnacharit was on six.
Resuming at their overnight score of 23 for no loss, Andhra, who were replying to Hyderabad's 213, lost skipper K Maheep Kumar (20) for the addition of seven to the total.
Vamsi Krishna (21) and Y Sandeep (21) failed to capitalise on their starts and Andhra were 87 for three but Harsha Vardhan and Subramanyam (23) added 56 for the fourth wicket to steady the innings.
A triple strike by Krishacharit brought Hyderabad back into the game. He trapped Sandeep to break the partnership and eight runs later sent back K Nitish Kumar Reddy (4). Krishnacharit then had Harsha caught by skipper Chandan Sahani to leave Andhra at 160 for six. Hasha topscored for the hosts with 54 (130bp; 9x4, 1x6).
However, PP Manohar and wicketkeeper Prudhvi forged a 51-run stand for the seventh wicket to bring Andhra within three runs of the vital lead.
But G Aniketh Reddy struck twice off successive balls. He had Prudhvi (27) caught by Pragnay Reddy and then bowled Venu Vinukonda (0) to leave Andhra at 211 for eight. CHVS Koushik saw off six balls and more importantly scored two runs to tie the score before Aniketh had him caught by Ratan Teja.
Manohar (33) then got a single to grab the lead before being bowled by Rakshann.
Krishnacharit (3/35), Rakshann (3/41) and Aniketh (3/60) shared the spoils for Hyderabad.
In their second innings, Hyderabad yet again had a poor start with Junaid Ali (6) falling with 12 on the board. Ajay Dev Goud (23) too didn't last long.
Brief scores: Hyderabad 213 & 46/2 in 15 overs vs Andhra 214 in 74.1 overs (Harsha Vardhan 54, PP Manohar 33; CT Rakshann Readdi 3/41, T Krishnacharit 3/35, G Aniketh Reddy 3/60).