Kartaka on driver's seat on Day 1 against Assam

By our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI, Feb 16:  A fantastic knock from opener Robin Uthappa, who hit a brilliant 153, and his opening partner Lokesh Rahul's  91 helped Kartaka to pile up a huge total against Assam in the quarter fil of the Ranji trophy tie held at Indore today. The defending champion reached 302-2 at stumps on day one of the game. Ravikumar Samarth (39) and Manish Pandey (18) were at the crease when the day's play came to an end.

Assam, who made one changes in their first XI bringing Abu Nechim Ahmed in place of Pritam Das, won the toss and decided to field. In the initial stage of the game the pacers got some assistance from the wicket but later it turned out as batsmen paradise. Even in form bowler Swarupam Purkayastha too found helpless. Both the openers of Kartaka domited on the bowlers and shared a 194-run opening stand in 55.1 overs.

Uthappa hit 21 boundaries and one six on way to score 153 runs. Rahul struck 14 fours in his 91 runs innings that came in 154-ball. Pacer Abu Nechim Ahmed and spinner Syed Mohammad shared the two wickets which fall on the first day.

Scoreboard:

Kartaka 1st innings: RV Uthappa c & b Syed Mohammad 153 KL Rahul b Ahmed 91 R Samarth not out 39 MK Pandey  not out 18 Extras (b 1) 1 Total (2 wickets; 90 overs) 302

Fall of wickets 1-194, 2-264.

Bowling: AK Das 16-5-49-0, K Das 17-3-44-0 AN Ahmed 15-0-69-1 P Das 3-0-8-  0 J Syed Mohammad 22- 4-66-1 S Purkayastha 15-4-63-0 G Sharma 2-1-2-0.