A steady rather than excellent batting display from Tamil Nadu's top order saw the home side gain a slight edge over Goa in their Ranji Trophy league match at Chennai on Sunday.

Managing to bowl Goa out for 238, Tamil Nadu had a definite upper hand. MR Shrinivas took 5-57, playing a vital role in the collapse of the visitors' batting line-up.

Sadagopan Ramesh, opening the Tamil Nadu innings, must have been hoping to impress the selectors with a sterling display and regain his position in the Indian team. He managed, however, to make only 35 off 94 deliveries. His partner, Somasetty Suresh, made 65 off 130 balls, top-scoring in his side's innings.

Suresh fell with the score on 114, and Hemang Badani and Hemanth Kumar fell relatively cheaply. S Sharath and skipper Robin Singh then stabilised the innings, taking Tamil Nadu's total to 187/4 by the close of play.

© CricInfo