Ranji Trophy: Assam struggling in chase

Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: Assam were struggling in chase of huge first innings total of Delhi in the Ranji Trophy tie at the ACA Stadium, Barsapara on Wednesday. In reply to visitors' first innings total 439 Assam were 158-4 at stumps on Day II. Rishav Das, scored half century, remained not out on 71 and Gokul Sarma (39) giving him the accompany.

Assam started their first innings after the launch break and first one and half hour of their innings was very eventful. The side lost four wickets quickly and opener Rahul Hazarika also retired hurt after the batter was hit in his head on the bowling of Harshit Rana,

There was no assistance for the bowlers from the pitch on the first two-day of the game and weather was also perfect when Assam openers came into the wicket two start the innings. But once Rahul got hurt on the third over in the innings and had to retire hurt Assam started to struggle as they quickly reduced to 4-60. First it was captain Kunal Saikia (12) who got out and he was followed by Riyan Parag (10), Sibsankar Roy (0) and Swarupam Purkayastha (0).

However, a gritty knock from Rishav Das and good supportive role from seasoned batter Gokul Sarma helped the home team to improve their condition in the scoreboard when the day's play came to an end.

Gokul joined Rishav on team's total 60. The duo played 150 balls together and added 98 runs during their unbroken partnership. Rishav faced 104 balls to score 71and most of those runs came through onside. There were nine boundaries and one six in his innings. Gokul faced 88 balls to score 39 with the help of six boundaries. Pranshu Vijayran (3-31) was the most successful bowler for Delhi.

Earlier, Delhi opener Dhruv Shorey played a terrific knock and picked up his first double century in first class cricket today. Delhi started from their overnight score 271-7 and took it to 439 before bowled out. The visitors added 168 runs today and 113 of them came from the bat of Shorey. The batter today carried his bat and remained not out on 252. His knock had 34 boundaries and two sixes.

Shorey also helped Delhi to make two good partnerships in the lower order with Vikas Mishra and Harshit Rana respectively. The last wicket partnership between Harshit (24) and Shorey produced 81 runs. Vikash (22), who remained not out yesterday, helped Shorey to build an 87 runs partnership on the 8th wicket.

While Mrinmoy Dutta (3-79) and Siddharth Sarmah (3-53) bagged three wickets each Mukhtar Hussain (1-81), Akash Sengupta (2-107) and Riyan Parag (1-101) collected the other wickets.

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