It was written in the team notes, plainly, almost kindly: reckon with Dharmendrasinh Jadeja and you will go the distance.

But those plans didn’t materialise, with Hyderabad closing what could have been a more productive innings at 275 for nine, still nine runs behind and with the left-arm spinner’s shadow lying long across the scoreboard.

After Punjab frustrated with a stubborn last-wicket stand in the previous Ranji Trophy game, Hyderabad used the new ball to avoid an encore on Tuesday. Rakshann Readdi breached Jayant Yadav’s defence, and C.V. Milind removed Ajay Mandal and Dharmendrasinh, bowling Chhattisgarh out after only five runs were added to the overnight total.

Chhattisgarh replied just as swiftly, with Dharmendrasinh removing Tanmay Agarwal early, Anuj Tiwary taking a sharp catch at leg slip. Abhirath Reddy and Rahul Radesh then steadied matters with a 123-ball 58-run stand, before Abhirath — who nearly ran himself out chasing a non-existent run — fell to a full toss shortly afterwards.

K. Himateja brought urgency, stepping out to loft a six over midwicket and following it with two boundaries as Hyderabad’s innings got back on an even keel by lunch.

On resumption, Himateja eventually fell to Dev Aditya Singh’s guile, just short of a half century, while Rahul ground out his fifty in 131 balls.

Varun Goud fell just before tea, Prateek Yadav pouching a straightforward catch in the slips, after which the Dharmendrasinh show truly came on. Pragnay Reddy was beaten by an arm ball, Rahul clipped to short-leg, and Milind holed out to long-on as three wickets fell 10 overs into the final session.

When Aditya rattled Ruthik Yadav’s stumps, Chhattisgarh sensed a quick finish. But Aniketh Reddy and Tanay Thyagarajann had other ideas. The former’s brisk 32 (31b, 5x4) and their 50-run partnership revived the home dugout’s spirit. Aditya cleaned up Aniketh with the deficit down to 23, but Tanay and Rakshann held on until stumps.

The scores: Chhattisgarh — 1st innings: Ayush Pandey c Pragnay b Rakshann 17, Anuj Tiwary lbw b Milind 72, Mayank Verma c Pragnay b Aniketh 36, Sanjeet Desai c Tanmay b Aniketh 0, Amandeep Khare c Himateja b Tanay 0, Vikalp Tiwari b Ruthik 69, Jayant Yadav b Rakshann 36, Prateek Yadav c Abhirath b Rakshann 27, Ajay Mandal c Rakshann b Milind 10, Dev Aditya Singh (not out) 2, Dharmendrasingh Jadeja c Himateja b Milind 2; Extras (b-4, lb-7, w-2): 13; Total (in 90.1 overs) 284.

Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-87, 3-87, 4-94, 5-187, 6-216, 7-264, 8-280, 9-280.

Hyderabad bowling: Milind 11.1-3-19-3, Tanay 26-4-89-1, Rakshann 14-1-37-3, Ruthik 18-1-69-1, Aniketh 21-4-59-2.

Hyderabad — 1st innings: Tanmay Agarwal c Anuj b Dharmendrasinh 3, Abhirath Reddy c & b Jayant 35, Rahul Radesh c Ayush b Dharmendrasinh 72, K. Himateja b Aditya 46, Varun Goud c Prateek b Dharmendrasinh 23, Pragnay Reddy b Dharmendrasinh 17, Ruthik Yadav b Dharmendrasinh 4, C.V. Milind c Ajay b Dharmendrasinh 1, Tanay Thyagarajann (batting) 29, Aniketh Reddy c Aditya b Ajay 32, Rakshann Readdi (batting) 1; Extras (b-8, lb-4): 12; Total (for nine wkts. in 83 overs): 275.

Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-65, 3-138, 4-173, 5-195, 6-210, 7-212, 8-212, 9-262.