Verma-Karthik partnership keeps Assam journey on

By our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI, Feb 13: Two middle order batsmen Amit Verma and Arun Karthick made a solid 127 runs partersnip on the fourth wicket but Assam failed to take advantage of it. Assam, who made their maiden appearance in the Ranji trophy semi fils today, are struggling against Saurashtra and scored 193 for seven at stumps on day I.

Invited to bat, Assam were in big trouble during the early stage of the innings as the first three batsmen fell for just 25 runs. KB Arun Karthik (59) joined Verma right at this moment and stabilised the innings with a solid 127-run stand for the fourth wicket.

But Assam lost the position once again when Arun Karthik was bowled by Hardik Rathod on 59 and thereafter they invited trouble again losing three wickets very quickly.

The highlights of first day’s game was undoubtedly a magnificent knock from Amit Verma and his 127 runs partnership with Karthik.Verma held together the innings with a patient unbeaten 74. The batsman faced as many 210 balls during his unbeaten knock and hit 11 boundaries. On the other hand Arun Karthik took 144 balls to score 59 runs with the help of six fours and one six.

At stumps, Dhiraj Goswami (7 not out) was giving accompany to Verma.

Hardik Rathod (3/37) and Jaydev Udkat (3/60) were the most successful bowler for Saurashtra on day I.

Scoreboard:

Assam 1st innings: PP Das lbw b Rathod 13 RG Hazarika c Pujara b Rathod 0 G Sharma  b Udkat 6 Amit Verma not out 74 KB Arun Karthik b Rathod 59  Tarjinder Singh bPunia  5 J Syed Mohammad c  Jogiyani b Udkat 9 S Purkayastha c Vasavada b Udkat 6 DS Goswami not out 7 Extras 14 Total (7 wickets; 78 overs) 193.

Fall of wickets:  1-6, 2-15, 3-25, 4-152, 5-157, 6-172, 7-180,

Bowling: JD Udkat 22-3-60-3, HR Rathod 15-3-37-3 DS Punia 21-6-36-1, CS Jani 18- 6-46-0 DA Jadeja 2-0-13-0