New Delhi, Dec 24 : Delhi's move to field backfired as in-form Tamil Nadu batsmen ended the opening day of their Ranji Trophy quarter-final at 278 for four at the Palam Ground here Thursday.

On what turned out to be a batsmen-friendly pitch, the reliable Delhi seamers for once failed to exploit wintry morning conditions and Tamil Nadu openers Abhinav Mukund (73) and M. Vijay (51) batted untroubled to put on a 110-run partnership.

Delhi fought back through their 17-year-old left-arm spinner Vikas Mishra (2-60) in the post lunch session. But, a 91-run partnership between Arun Karthik (78) and S. Anirudha put Tamil Nadu back on top.

At stumps, it was still advantage Tamil Nadu with plenty of batting still to come as even their tail wagged merrily in the league stage.

When stumps were drawn due to fading light with two overs still to be bowled, Anirudha was batting on 41 and R. Aswin four.

Delhi seamers failed to provide their customary breakthrough and stand-in skipper Rajat Bhatia had no option but bring on Mishra, who made his debut in the last match against Bengal, in the 16th over. The youngster did slow down the run flow but could not stop Tamil Nadu from going to lunch at 94 for no loss.

Both Mukund and captain Vijay brought up their half-centuries shortly after the break with boundaries off Bhatia. While Mukund's came off a cover drive, Vijay smashed straight.

It was part time off-spinner Mithun Manhas (1-17) who broke the opening stand. The Tamil Nadu skipper had hit Manhas over long on for a six, edged the next delivery to be caught at the wicket.

Mukund and new batsmen Subramanium Badrinath added 41 runs for the second wicket before Mishra castled the left-handed opener for 73 (11 fours, 137 balls). Badrinath also didn't stay long as he was holed out to Sumit Narwal at mid-on to give Mishra his second wicket minutes before tea to reduce Tamil Nadu to 183 for three.

Arun Karthik and S. Anirudha put the visitors back on track in the last session. Karthik got a life when on 65 by Bisht off Aditya Jain.

Karthik's 162-ball innings with five fours came to an end when he nicked an away going delivery from Pradeep Sangwan and this time Bisht made no mistake.(IANS)