(REOPENS DEL 75)

Vijay, scorer of a fluent century in the first innings, struggled against Dhawal Kulkarni and Shardul Thakur, edged the former once to Kaustubh Pawar, substituting for Sachin Tendulkar who was off the field for the entire day, at gully and survived. But Thakur bowled an outswinger and Vijay tried to drive on the up only to offer a simple catch to Rohit as Rest were reduced to 67 for three. The Tamil Nadu batsman's dismissal brought in Rayudu together with Tiwary, who looked scratchy in the initial stages of his innings and was also dropped by wicketkeeper Aditya Tare when he inside-edged Kulkarni early on. Tiwary was also lucky not to be given out when on 4 when he was rapped in front by an in-dipper from Abhishek Nayar, who replaced Kulkarni after the latter's impressive but unlucky 8-over spell for 21 runs Surviving this difficult phase, the Bengal batsman grew in confidence as the pitch eased out and with ball getting older, the bowlers lost sting. Rayudu was the more aggressive player in the fifth wicket century partnership that steadied the rocking boat. Both played freely against the spinners, when they were brought into the attack, and struck them for boundaries and sixes to up the scoring rate. The Guntur-born Rayudu used his feet very well to negotiate the spinners after playing cautiously against the new ball bowlers in the morning when conditions were in favour of the fielding team. The duo accelerated in the second session after they played defensively in the morning period as Rest added 108 runs in 34 overs. MORE