Saurashtra dominate Day 1 against Assam in Ranji Trophy with 361/3

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: Assam found themselves on the back foot on Day 1 of their Ranji Trophy match against Saurashtra in Rajkot on Thursday. After electing to bat, the hosts posted a commanding 361/3 at stumps. Opener Harvik Desai scored a brilliant century (130), while Cheteshwar Pujara remained unbeaten on 95.

Led by Riyan Parag, who returned to the team after a long injury layoff, Assam struggled to contain Saurashtra’s top order. The home side batted the entire 90 overs of the day, scoring at a healthy strike rate of 4.01 runs per over.

Saurashtra, placed third in Group D with 18 points, opened their innings with Harvik Desai and Chirag Jani. The duo laid a strong foundation with a 146-run partnership in just 29.3 overs. Two more crucial partnerships followed—94 runs for the second wicket between Pujara and Desai, and another 93-run stand between Pujara and Sheldon Jackson.

Assam’s first breakthrough came when Rahul Singh dismissed Chirag Jani for 80 off 78 balls, which included 14 boundaries. However, Desai remained resolute, bringing up his century before eventually falling for 130 off 180 balls, having struck 17 boundaries and one six.

Following Desai’s dismissal, Pujara anchored the innings with a patient knock, frustrating Assam’s bowlers. He faced 162 balls for his unbeaten 95, hitting nine boundaries. Besides Jani and Desai, Saurashtra lost only one more wicket in the day, with Sheldon Jackson departing for 48, which included five boundaries and one six. At stumps, Arpit Vasavada (8) was at the crease alongside Pujara.

Mukhtar Hussain and Riyan Parag claimed the other two wickets for Assam, but the visitors face an uphill task as Saurashtra look poised for a massive first-innings total.

Also Read: Riyan Parag returns to Assam Squad to lead in upcoming Ranji Trophy Match Against Saurashtra

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