Assam’s poor run continues Haryana take 101 runs lead in Ranji Trophy tie

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: The first day of the Ranji Trophy tie between Assam and Haryana witnessed a fall of 19 wickets and at the end of the day it’s an advantage to Haryana.

Invited to bat Assam were bowled out paltry 97 runs in the first innings. However, the visiting team’s bowler made a good job and they restricted Haryana’s first innings 198-9 (one retired hurt) but the home side managed to earn 101 runs first innings lead which can play a big role to decide the fate of the game.

The match between the two sides started at Lalhi, Haryana today. It was known to all that the pitch would assist the pacers and it behaved as per the expectation. However, the batsmen of Assam looked not at all prepared to face the challenge and Haryana took just 37 overs to bundled out Assam in their first innings. What is surprising is that Tinu Kundu, the left-arm spinner of Haryana, took 5 wickets giving away just 35 runs in his 11.3 overs spell.

It was the second time in the last four innings that Assam bowled out below 100 in an innings. Earlier the side bowled out for 78 runs by Maharashtra in the second innings during the sixth round match in Guwahati recently. The batting was horrible in the last game also against Odisha where Assam lost ten wickets for 71 runs after the openers Kunal Saikia and Subham Mandal gave a solid start.

Assam today lost opener Subham when the score was just 2. Kunal (17) and Rishav (13) took the score to 29 before Rishav got out. Kunal followed him on team’s total 44 and Assam’s battle were over. Apart from Kunal Assam lost two more wickets on the same total in the form of Riyan Parag (0) and Saahil Jain (0). Rajjak Uddin Ahmed (35, 4X6, 6X1) tried to put some resistance but the support didn’t come from the other end.

Haryana too failed to start well as their opener S Rohilla returned into the pavilion scoring just three runs. But their middle order looked more responsible and made a few small partnerships which helped them to take 101 runs 1st innings lead. RP Sharma (59) scored the lone half century of the match for Haryana while C Bishnoi (46) also contributed well with the bat.

Among the Assam’s bowlers Ranjjet Mali, Mukhtar Hussain and Siddharth Sarma picked up three wickets each.

Also Read: Assam to face Haryana in Ranji trophy tie from today

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