Sports Reporter
GUWAHATI: Both bat and ball dominated on Day I of the Ranji Trophy tie between Assam and Saurashtra which got under way at the ACA Stadium, Barsapara today. The first two sessions were dominated by Assam who were invited to bat first. Saurashtra came back in the game in the final session and reduced Assam quickly from 213-3 to 237-7. Host finished the day putting 249-7 on the board in the first innings.
The start of the day was not good for Assam as they lost opener Kunal Saikia (4) and Rishav Das (2) quickly and at that time the team were struggling at 2-8. It was Riyan who started to repair the damage with another opener Rahul Hazarika. The duo settled nicely on the wicket and scored runs at a good pace. The third wicket partnership between them produced 112 runs, most of which came from the bat of Riyan. Riyan smashed nine boundaries and two sixes to score 76 from 108 balls before he got out on team's total 120. During this innings he also completed 1,000 runs in first class cricket.
Rahul built his innings steadily and faced 219 balls to score 90. After the fall of Riyan he made another good partnership with Sibsankar Roy and their fourth-wicket partnership produced 93 runs from 166 balls. The partnership was broken when Sibsankar got out on 42 (4X7) and it triggered the collapse in Assam innings. Veteran Gokul Sarma (2) got out quickly and he was followed by Rahul Hazarika. The left handed batter was well settled and was inching towards the first century of the innings when he got out. Rahul, scored 90, hit nine boundaries and two sixes before Prerak Mankad took the catch of the batter on his own bowling. Akash Sengupta (1) also didn't disturb the scorer too much. At stumps Swarupam Purkayastha remained not out on 12 and Mukhtar Hissain (10) was giving him support.
Chetan Sakariya and Prerak Mankad bagged two wickets each for Saurashtra..
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