Ranji Trophy: Assam on verge of victory

Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: Ranji Trophy tie between Assam and Hyderabad is hanged on balance as either side had equal chance to win after the end of the third day's play at Hyderabad today. While Assam required just a wicket to register their first victory of the season, Hyderabad needed 22 runs to beat Assam on Friday, the last day of the match.

Assam displayed an all round performance on the ground today. First they put a fighting total, 252, on the board in the second innings and later the bowlers delivered their best to bring Assam on the verge of victory. Hyderabad ended 228-9 in their second innings at stumps on day III.

Visitors started the day's proceeding from their overnight score 182-6 but not out batter Swarupam Purkayastha (22) departed quickly without disturbing the total.

Good show of Assam Tail enders continued in the second innings also. The 8th wicket partnership between Akash Sengupta and Siddharth Sarmah added valuable 68 runs that made Hyderabad's job difficult when they came to chase the winning target in the second innings. Akash and Siddharth faced 195 balls together and took the score from 182 to 250

Akash, who remained not out yesterday, scored 31 with the help of three boundaries. Siddhartha faced 104 balls to score unbeaten 36 runs and there were five boundaries in his innings. Assam ended their second innings 252 and gave Hyderabad a target of 249 to win in the game. RavI Teja was the most successful bowler for Hdyderabad in the second innings and the pacer finished with 5-50.

Hyderabad started well in their run chase and at one time they were 171-3. But once Buddhi Rahul (28) got out on the same score Assam made a strong comeback into the game and picked up four more wickets quickly giving away only 11 runs. Hyderabad lost another wicket before the end of the day's play.

Captain Tanmay Agarwal, who opened the innings, fought a lone battle for Hyderabad and remained unbeaten on 123 (12X4, 1X6). Kartikeya Kak (1) giving him the accompany. Bhavesh Seth (41) was the other major contributor for the home team in the second innings

Assam spinners bowled well today and collected most of the wickets that Hyderabd lost in the second innings. While Riyan Parag took 3-90, Swarupam Purkayastha (2-49) and Gokul Sarma (2-23) collected two wickets each.

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