At the SCF Cricket Ground in Salem on Thursday, Tamil Nadu batter Andre Siddarth hit his first-ever first-class century to lead his state team to a commanding 301 in their Ranji Trophy match against Chandigarh. Andre, a rising talent who represented India in the most recent U19 Asia Cup, is the nephew of former Tamil Nadu batter Sridharan Sharath.
Andre Siddarth helps Tamil Nadu take good stand
Andre, who was acquired by the Chennai Super Kings in the November mega auction, demonstrated his ability to play red-ball cricket on a day of Ranji Trophy cricket that was headlined by India's Test stars falling flat. Chandigarh captain Manan Vohra put Tamil Nadu in to bat and their openers Mohamed Ali and Narayan Jagadeesan established a 101-run opening partnership. After the former was caught LBW by Nishunk Birla, Tamil Nadu was quickly reduced to 126/4 in the 37th over.
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Then, in the 67th over, Vishu Kashyap knocked out Baba Indrajith after he and Andre had accumulated 121 runs for the fifth wicket. After that, Andre and Boopathi Kumar formed a 40-run partnership for the sixth wicket before Jagjit Singh got him out in the 80th over. Kashyap took five wickets as Tamil Nadu was ultimately knocked out for 301. Andre scored 106 runs with three sixes and ten boundaries.
In addition to securing an IPL contract with CSK at the auction last December, Andre has advanced to the Ranji Trophy since making his Tamil Nadu Premier League debut in July, scoring four half-centuries in his first six innings and for the India U-19 team.
Andre rang in 2025 when he and Tamil Nadu defeated Gujarat, the hosts, in Ahmedabad to win the U19 Cooch Behar Trophy. His uncle Sharath, who is currently the national selector, was a member of the team when Tamil Nadu last won the championship in 1991โ1992.