Assam struggles to avoid defeat against Saurashtra in Ranji Trophy

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: Assam faces an uphill battle to avoid defeat against Saurashtra on Day 2 of their Ranji Trophy match at Rajkot on Friday. Assam were bowled out for 164 in their first innings in response to the home team’s imposing total of 474 and were forced to follow on. In their second innings, Assam managed to reach 67/1 by the end of the day’s play and they are still trailing by 243 runs.

Assam bowlers started well in the morning, restricting Saurashtra to 474 in their first innings. Cheteshwar Pujara came agonizingly close to a century but was dismissed for 99 (167 balls, 4X10). Among the bowlers, Rahul Singh and Mukhtar Hussain were the pick of the lot, each claiming three wickets, while Amlanjyoti Das and Riyan Parag chipped in with one wicket apiece.

Assam’s response with the bat was disappointing as they failed to build strong partnerships. Openers Pradyun Saikia, making his debut, and Denish Das started the innings but couldn’t hold on for long. Pradyun was dismissed early for just 2 runs. Sibsankar Roy (7) and Denish Das (27) also fell cheaply, leaving Assam struggling at 48/3.

Captain Riyan Parag, returning from injury, looked in good touch and played a fighting knock of 51 off 67 balls, including seven boundaries and two sixes. However, his dismissal triggered a collapse, with wickets tumbling at regular intervals. Mukhtar Hussain provided some resistance with an unbeaten 46 off 47 balls (six fours and one six), but Assam could only muster 164 runs. Saurashtra’s Dharmendrasinh Jadeja was the most successful bowler, finishing with figures of 4/61.

Assam showed some fight in their second innings, with openers Pradyun Saikia and Denish Das putting up a 58-run partnership. However, Denish fell for 24, leaving Assam at 67/1 at stumps. Pradyun remained unbeaten on 32, while Sibsankar Roy was yet to open his account.

With Assam still trailing by 243 runs, they will need a remarkable batting effort on Day 3 to avoid a crushing defeat.

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