Ranji Trophy: Saurashtra batters shine in opening day of match against city team
A fine performance by Saurashtra batters helped the side post a respectable 299/2 against Chandigarh on the opening day play of the Ranji Trophy at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 26.
Chirah Jani came up with a brilliant 153 and, in support of Harvik Desai (99), raised a partnership of 236 runs to give a major push to the Saurashtra innings. The Chandigarh skipper won the toss and put the visiting side to bat. The match witnessed a delayed start due to poor visibility. On the opening day, 79 overs were bowled.
The visitors started their innings with Taranggohel and Desai. However, Jagjit Singh Sandhu shocked Taranggohel (0) on the second ball of the opening over, as the batsman was back to the hut. After the early loss, Jani joined Desai and the duo took over the charge in style. The duo played for the next 64 overs to raise a 236-run partnerships. They ensured the side not only recover from an early loss, but also move towards a big total. However, in the 65th overs, Chandigarh’s star bowler Nishunk Birla gave the hosts much awaited breakthrough as he stumped Desai for 99 off 169 balls, with 14 boundaries and one six.
Down to 237/2, Sheldon Jackson joined Jani and supported him till the draw of the stumps. While Jackson remained unbeaten for 34 off 46 balls, with three boundaries and two sixes, Jani went to score an unbeaten 153 off 258 balls, studded with 21 boundaries and two sixes.
The duo ensured no further loss, as the side posted 299/2 on the board.
Punjab restrict Bihar
At IS Bindra PCA Stadium in Mohali, Punjab restricted Bihar at 135. The sitution was same here as the opening day with only 56 overs bowlled due to poor visibility. Sukdeep Bajwa remained the leading wicket taker for the hosts with 3/38, while Baltej Singh (2/34), Mayank Markande (2/8) and Naman Dhir (2/9) also claimed wickets. Gurnoor Brar (1/28) also chipped in with a wicket in his kitty. Ayush Loharuka (63 off 112 balls, with 11 boundaries) was the main scorer for the side.
Cooch Behar Trophy
Meanwhile, on the first day of the Cooch Behar Trophy match between Chandigarh and Baroda at Moti Bagh Cricket Ground, Vadodara, Smit Rathva (114 off 148 balls, with 20 boundaries) and Abhishek Swaminathan (104 off 144 balls, studded with 10 boundaries and two sixes) along with a half-century from HG Patel (83 off 98 balls) took the host team to 421/9. Jayant Vashisht (5/91) took a maximum of wickets, while Ishan Gaba claimed 2/98 for the bowling side.
