Pujara's ton push Assam back foot

Ranji Semi vs Saurashtra:

By our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI, Feb 14: A solid ton from test discard Cheteswar Pujara took Saurasthra into a good position on the second day of Ranji trophy semi fil against Assam at Vadodora today. Chasing Assam first innings total 234 Saurashtra finished the day second day’s play at 211-5 and already took  crucial 20 runs first innings lead. Pujara remained not out 116.

Although Assam bowlers perform exceptiolly well in the season but today they create any pressure on Pujara and the batsman single handedly guided Saurashtra to good position even though wicket fall on regular interval at the other end.

Pujara came into bat at number three when Saurashtra lost its opener Jogiyani. Thereafter he faced 212 balls, hit 15 boundaries and one six on way to remain knock out at 116.It  is the 31st first class century for Pujara. However he was lucky today as the batsman was dropped on 37 by wicketkeeper KB Arun Karthik off Krish Das, after he got a thick inside edge

Earlier Assam added another 41 runs to their overnight score before they bowled out 234. The bulk of the runs came from the bat of Amit Verma although the batsman lost his 11th first class ton for just 2 runs. His 241 balls innings has 14 boundaries. Other overnight not out batsman Dhiraj Goswami put 22 on the board.

Scoreboard:

 Assam 1st innings: PP Das lbw b Rathod 13 RG Hazarika c Pujara b Rathod 0 G Sharma b Udkat 6 Amit Verma c Jadeja b Udkat 98 KB Arun Karthik b Rathod 59 Tarjinder Singh  b Punia 5 J Syed Mohammad c Jogiyani b Udkat 9 S Purkayastha c Vasavada b Udkat 6 DS Goswami b Udkat 22 AK Das c Shah b Udkat 0 K Das not out 0 Extras (lb 2, w 8, nb 6) 16 Total (all out; 87 overs) 234

Fall of wickets 1-6, 2-15, 3-25, 4-152, 5-157, 6-172, 7-180, 8-234, 9-234, 10-234,

Bowling: JD Udkat 26-4-77-6 HR Rathod 19-3-56-3 DS Punia 22-6-40-1 CS Jani 18-6-46-0, DA Jadeja 2-0-13-0

Saurashtra 1st innings: AA Barot lbw b K Das 35 SD Jogiyani c Sharma b AK Das 10 CA Pujara  not out 116  AV Vasavada c Arun Karthik b AK Das 10 SP Jackson c PP Das b Syed Mohammad 47  JN Shah b AK Das 3 CS Jani not out 29 Extras (lb 1, w 2, nb 1) 4 Total (5 wickets; 82 overs) 254.

Fall of wickets:  1-37, 2-51, 3-85, 4-154,5-161.

Bowling: K Das 25-8- 64-1 AK Das 21-3-68-3 DS Goswami 16-6-47-0 P Das 9-1- 40-0 J Syed Mohammad 7-1-16-1,Verma 2-0-7-0,Purkayastha 2-0-11-0.