Assam had escaped to a draw against Jharkhand in their last game with their batters showing intent in the second innings on final day. But on Friday, in their second-round match of Ranji Trophy Elite Group D against Chandigarh in Guwahati, Assam batters could not carry the momentum they got from that inspiring draw.
Opting to bat first at Barsapara Cricket Stadium , hosts Assam struggled to 249 for eight wickets in 87 overs at stumps as none of the top and middle-order batters could convert the starts they got on Day 1. It was Mukhtar Hussain ’s rearguard action at No. 9, where he scored a run-a-ball 55, that helped Assam to a respectable total in the end.
Earlier, openers Parvej Musaraf and Rahul Hazarika didn’t last long as both went back to pavilion inside the eighth over scoring only nine and one, respectively. Captain Denish Das then joined forces with No. 3 Rishav Das but Assam’s hope of arresting any further damage wasn’t fulfilled as the skipper departed scoring a 26-ball 21 with three fours and the scoreboard reading 41/3 from 17 overs.
Rishav (12 off 58 balls) returned soon after, being retired hurt in the 22nd over, which further damaged Assam’s prospects. Thereafter, the home team lost wickets at regular intervals with only Sibsankar Roy showing some resistance at No. 5 scoring 46 off 97 balls with five fours and a six as they were down to 162 for seven wickets. In between, debutant wicketkeeper-batter Ruhinandan Pegu (29) and Abhishek Thakuri (19) both failed to capitalise on the starts.
The fall of Thakuri brought Sumit Ghadigaonkar as a substitute for Rishav and the experienced batter’s unbeaten, vigilant 41 off 123 balls with only two fours helped Assam pass the 200-run mark, albeit with the help of a cameo by Hussain down the order. The duo put on 87 runs for the eighth wicket to help Assam avoid more blushes.
Hussain hit nine boundaries and two maximums to play a perfect foil to Ghadigaonkar’s patient knock, which was the need of the hour.
Left-arm spinner Nishunk Birla was the pick of the Chandigarh bowlers with 3-60 as pacer medium Jagjit Singh scalped 2-35 to help the visitors’ cause. On Day 2 Assam would look for some brisk runs to add to their first innings total before trying to restrict the Chandigarh batters.
Brief scores (In Guwahati): Assam 249/8 in 87 overs (S Roy 46, S Ghadigaonkar 41 batting; Birla 3-60, Jagjit 2-35) vs Chandigarh. Match to continue.
Opting to bat first at Barsapara Cricket Stadium , hosts Assam struggled to 249 for eight wickets in 87 overs at stumps as none of the top and middle-order batters could convert the starts they got on Day 1. It was Mukhtar Hussain ’s rearguard action at No. 9, where he scored a run-a-ball 55, that helped Assam to a respectable total in the end.
Earlier, openers Parvej Musaraf and Rahul Hazarika didn’t last long as both went back to pavilion inside the eighth over scoring only nine and one, respectively. Captain Denish Das then joined forces with No. 3 Rishav Das but Assam’s hope of arresting any further damage wasn’t fulfilled as the skipper departed scoring a 26-ball 21 with three fours and the scoreboard reading 41/3 from 17 overs.
Rishav (12 off 58 balls) returned soon after, being retired hurt in the 22nd over, which further damaged Assam’s prospects. Thereafter, the home team lost wickets at regular intervals with only Sibsankar Roy showing some resistance at No. 5 scoring 46 off 97 balls with five fours and a six as they were down to 162 for seven wickets. In between, debutant wicketkeeper-batter Ruhinandan Pegu (29) and Abhishek Thakuri (19) both failed to capitalise on the starts.
The fall of Thakuri brought Sumit Ghadigaonkar as a substitute for Rishav and the experienced batter’s unbeaten, vigilant 41 off 123 balls with only two fours helped Assam pass the 200-run mark, albeit with the help of a cameo by Hussain down the order. The duo put on 87 runs for the eighth wicket to help Assam avoid more blushes.
Hussain hit nine boundaries and two maximums to play a perfect foil to Ghadigaonkar’s patient knock, which was the need of the hour.
Left-arm spinner Nishunk Birla was the pick of the Chandigarh bowlers with 3-60 as pacer medium Jagjit Singh scalped 2-35 to help the visitors’ cause. On Day 2 Assam would look for some brisk runs to add to their first innings total before trying to restrict the Chandigarh batters.
Brief scores (In Guwahati): Assam 249/8 in 87 overs (S Roy 46, S Ghadigaonkar 41 batting; Birla 3-60, Jagjit 2-35) vs Chandigarh. Match to continue.
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