Sports Reporter
GUWAHATI: Captain Gokul Sharma's (82) fighting knock went in vain as Assam suffered first defeat of the season in the Ranji Trophy by the hand of Mumbai at Amingaon Cricket ground on 13th January. Mumbai won the game by an innings and 128 runs after Assam were bowled out for just 189 runs in 45 overs in their second innings today.
It was almost certain that Assam would face a herculean task to save the game on day IV after following on they were reduced to 36-5 in the second innings at the end of day III. No batters of the team except Gokul Sharma and Roshan Alam, were able to stay on the wicket for a long period in the second innings.
Assam started from their overnight score 36-5 and lost the first wicket in the form of Swarupam Purkayastha (13) who was ran out. Sibsankar Roy (17) and Mukhtar Hussain (6) also departed quickly and Assam were 98-7 at that time.
Gokul and Roshan then made a good partnership and the duo added 75 runs for the 9th wicket. But once Musheer Khan removed Gokul the innings didn't last long.
Gokul, who led the side in absence of Kunal Saikia, played a very responsible knock in both the innings. The batter in the first innings scored 70 and in the second innings he contributed 82 on the board. Mumbai needed 270 balls to bowl out Assam in the second innings and Gokul alone faced 136 balls. He also hit 14 boundaries in the knock. Roshan remained not out on 42 and there were nine boundaries in his innings. Five Mumbai bowlers shared the wickets that Assam lost in the second innings and they were Shardul Thakur (3-54), Mohit Avasthi (2-51), Royston Dais (1-14), Shams Mulani (1-47) and Musheer Khan (2-11)
After this match Assam stayed at the fifth place in the Elite 'B' point table with 11 points after the end of the fifth round. Mumbai were at the second place with 23 points.
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