Former champions Punjab, the only team to have made it to the semi-finals already, took the honours, restricting Tamil Nadu to 191 for seven in the first innings at close on the first day of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group 'B' match at Chennai on Monday.
Electing to bat, Tamil Nadu lost Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan, Sadagopan Ramesh and captain Sridharan Sriram for 71 runs and then another three wickets in the space of eight runs and were struggling at 100 for 7 in 45 overs.
Kuthethurshri Vasudevadas (59 not out) and medium pacer M R Srinivas (36 not out) then put on a 91-run unbroken stand for the eighth wicket to help Tamil Nadu recover.
For Punjab, medium pacers Vikram Rajvir Singh (3 for 60) and Amit Uniyal (3 for 42) were the most successful bowlers.
In keeping with their performance during the season with an aim to win the championship, Punjab bowlers maintained a good line and length throughout the match.
Their positive approach paid dividends as the hosts frittered away their wickets mainly due to indiscreet batting.
Brief scores: Tamil Nadu (first innings) 191 for 7 in 90 overs (S Ramesh 26, S Sriram 38, S Badrinath 24, K Vasudevadas 59 not out, M R Srinivas 36 not out, Vikram Rajvir Singh 3/60 and Amit Uniyal 3/42).