Mumbai: Jharkhand batsman Saurabh Tiwary compiled his maiden double ton, a swashbuckling 238, before the team's bowlers stifled Mumbai's batsmen only to loosen the grip on a rollercoaster second day two of their Group A Ranji Trophy match here today.
In reply to the visitors' first innings total of 351, Mumbai were pushed firmly on the back foot by the pace of Varun Aaron before Hiken Shah (46 batting) and Suryakumar Yadav (49 batting) came to their side's rescue with an unbroken 96-run stand for the sixth wicket.
The duo, who came together when the 40-time champions were tottering at 114 for five before tea, batted through the last session to guide Mumbai to 210 for 5, still 141 runs behind the visitors' score.
Aaron, in his seven-over first spell, used his extra pace to breach the defence of opener Sushant Marathe off the second ball and then struck an even bigger blow by dismissing in-form batsman Wasim Jaffer (1) to leave Mumbai gasping at 30 for 2.
Opener Aditya Tare made a breezy 67 off 120 balls before getting out while Siddesh Lad (16) and skipper Abhishek Nayar (19) could not convert their starts into bigger things. It was then left to Shah and Yadav to stem the rot.
In the morning, Tiwary, resuming at a career-high 175 in a team total of 262 for 8, continued his assault on the hapless Mumbai bowling attack by carting them for four more sixes and nine additional fours before being dismissed while going for another big hit off left arm spinner Vishal Dabholkar.
Tiwary added 63 runs today, 60 coming off sixes and fours, in just 81 balls before he got out at 334. He struck Akbar Khan for 22 runs in the opening over with a six and four fours. Shiv Shankar Rao remained not out on 23 after guiding the eastern India side past the 350 mark. For Mumbai, Javed Khan and Dabholkar shared eight wickets equally.
Jharkhand captain Shahbaz Nadeem praised Tiwary, who forged a 154-run stand with tail-ender Rao, saying that it was a dream knock. "Tiwary played an outstanding innings of 238 and against Mumbai, you can say it is a dream. The bowlers also did a wonderful job. We got them at 110 for five and they have got a partnership now. It is a matter of one wicket and after that their tail will start...Till now, it has gone in our favour," Nadeem told reporters.
The left-arm spinner was happy with the performance put up by his side and said they hadn't been playing to their full potential in the earlier games. "In the last few matches we have performed below our potential and in this match only Tiwary scored and the rest of the batsmen didn't.
But even then we are doing a pretty good job," the 24-year old said. Mumbai opener Aditya Tare said the defending champions are in a tough situation, but expressed hope that the team would get past the Jharkhand first innings score.
"We have still got about 140 runs (to chase) and 5 wickets, so obviously a tough situation. We still have got two good batsman set there and hopefully they can get us through," he said. The wicket-keeper batsman added that it is good for the side to be in a tough situation in the league stage before the knockouts.
"In the first game also we were caught up and we had a tough situation, but Sachin (Tendulkar) sir was there and he bailed us out. Obviously you have to play out of your skins in the league games to get going in the knockouts.
"But it is still a long way to go. But it is nice to have challenging games in the league itself because it shows what our quality is," he said.
He added that India pacer Varun Aaron's spell also shook them up, as they lost the important wicket of Wasim Jaffer. "He got two quick wickets. He got a wicket in the first over and then Wasim bhai's wicket. That kind of shook us because Wasim bhai is a big batsman, who is in good form," Tare said.
The 26-year old, who made 67, lamented the shot he played to get out and said, "Definitely it was a bad shot on my part and I let my team down and let myself down."
Brief scores: Jharkhand 351 (Saurabh Tiwary 238; J Khan 4 for 79, V Dabholkar 4 for 81). Mumbai 210 for 5 (A Tare 67, H Shah batting 46, S Yadav batting 49; V Aaron 2 for 28, S Nadeem 2 for 64).
Inexplicable slow batting by Bengal on day 2
Inexplicable slow batting by Bengal on day 2
New Delhi: Bengal batsmen played at snail's pace as they crawled to 65 for one in 45 overs in reply to Railway's first innings score of 306 in a Ranji Trophy Group B encounter, here today.
Such was the pace of Bengal batting that they only managed 28 runs in 28 overs in the post tea session at Jamia Millia Islamia Sports complex. The manner of batting forced Bengal coach Ashoke Malhotra to say sarcastically, "I have told my boys that please don't let number of overs overtake runs! In any case our best batsman (Manoj Tiwary) is injured and I have retired."
Gitimoy Basu, who has had a nightmare of time having dropped two catches, ran an in-form Arindam Das (26) out refusing a sure third run. He then patted back half volleys to remain unbeaten on 27 off 134 balls.
Subhamoy Das fared no better as he got into a shell scoring only 8 off 75 balls. The duo added 26 runs in 23.3 overs. They need another 252 runs to get first innings lead.
Earlier, Bengal bowlers did a commendable job bowling out Railways for 306 in 125.2 overs. Bengal bowlers got six wickets for 96 runs in 35.2 overs on the day.
Shib Shankar Paul (3/47 in 30 overs) removed overnight batsman Arindam Ghosh with a beautiful in-cutter which the batsman shouldered arms. Ghosh scored 88 in 222 balls with 10 fours. With Rawat he added 61 runs for the fifth wicket.
Nagaland boy Jonathan Rongsen (33) was impressive as he added 44 runs with Rawat. Rawat (68) hit a lovely cover drive off left-arm spinner Iresh Saxena but the next ball saw him play a cut shot which Gitimoy managed to keep in his gloves.
Bengal skipper Laxmi Ratan Shukla then removed his opposite number Murali Kartik (7) by cleaning him up. Anureet Singh (17) and Krishna Kant Upadhayay (12) hit a few boundaries to take score past 300 run mark.
Anureet's off stump was knocked by Dinda while Saurashis Lahiri came back after lunch to dismiss both Jonathan and Upadhyay in space of nine balls.
Brief Scores: Railways 1st innings: 306 in 125.2 overs (Arindam Ghosh 88, Mahesh Rawat 68, Nitin Bhille 65; SS Paul 3/47, Ashoke Dinda 3/95, S Lahiri 2/19).
Bengal 1st innings 65 for 1 in 45 overs (Gitimoy Basu 27 batting, Subhamoy Das 8 batting; Arindam Das 26).
Tripura on top against Hyderabad
Hyderabad: Skipper Yogesh Takawale struck a double hundred while two others notched up centuries to help Tripura raise a mammoth 588 for six on the second day of their Group C Ranji Trophy match against Hyderabad here today.
Overnight 285 for two, Tripura rode on Takawale's epic knock -- a 400-ball 212 -- apart from centuries by Manisankar Murasingh (150) and Abbas Ali (105) to put up the huge score in their first innings. For Hyderabad, Ravi Kiran's 2/90 and Lalith Mohan's 2/156 were the only successes in a shambolic bowling performance.
Brief Scores:Tripura 1st Innings: 588 for 6 in 180 overs (Yogesh Takawale 212, Manisankar Murasingh 150, Abbas Ali 105, Ravi Kiran 2/90).
Dwivedi's ton gives UP big lead against Services
Dwivedi's ton gives UP big lead against Services
Ghaziabad: Wicketkeeper-batsman Eklavya Dwivedi stood out with a calculated century as Uttar Pradesh took a massive 205-run first-innings lead over Services in their Group B Ranji Trophy match here today.
At stumps on the second day, Services were 19 for no loss in their second innings, still 186 runs behind.
Dwivedi struck 131 off 195 balls, hitting nine fours and three sixes during his four-hour vigil at the Mohan Meakins Cricket Stadium. He was also involved in an invaluable stand of 106 runs for the eighth wicket with Amit Mishra (46), before the last-wicket pair of Imtiaz Ahmed (18 not out) and R P Singh (13) added another 30 runs.
Having bundled out the visitors for 164 in their first innings, Uttar Pradesh started the day at overnight 86 for three with opener Digvijay Singh (36) and Parvinder Singh (9) in the middle. Digvijay was dismissed after scoring 78 off 199 balls, an innings laced with seven hits to the fence. Mishra faced 77 balls and hit three fours.
Joining Dwivedi at the fall of Ali Murtuza's wicket at 224/7, Mishra played the perfect foil to the more established 25-year-old batsman and gradually almost batted Services of the match. For Services, Nishan Singh, Shadab Nazar and Pratik Desai picked up three wickets each.
At the close of play, Services' Pratik Desai and Anshul Gupta were batting on 10 and nine respectively, and they will have a difficult task of erasing the deficit and then set the hosts a target.
Brief scores: Services: 164 all out and 19 for no loss. Uttar Pradesh 1st innings: 369 all out (Dwivedi 131, Digvijay 78, Mishra 46; Nishan Singh 3/70, Shadab Nazar 3/85, Pratik Desai 3/51).
Goa take upper hand against Assam
Guwahati: Amogh Desai top-scored with 97 as Goa closed in on Assam's first innings total reaching 190/2 in their Group C Ranji Trophy match here today.
Replying to Assam's 247 all out, Goa were sitting pretty at the close of play on the second day at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium. Medium pacer Harshad Gadekar was the pick of the Goa bowlers as he finished with figures of five for 33 to bowl out the hosts.
Jamaluddin Syed Mohammad had earlier in the day scored a century for Assam, his unbeaten 106-run knock giving his team's total a semblance of respectability after most of the batsmen flopped after being sent into bat yesterday. Jamaluddin was batting on 90 overnight.
Brief scores: Assam 1st innings: 247 all out in 105 overs (Jamaluddin Syed Mohammad 106; 5/33)
Goa 1st innings: 190 for two in 73 overs (Amogh Chugh 97, Swapnil Asnodkar 57).
TN reaches 101 for three on rain-curtailed day
TN reaches 101 for three on rain-curtailed day
Chennai: Tamil Nadu's reached 101 for three in their first innings as persistent rain here resulted in only one session of play was possible on the second day of their Ranji Trophy Group B match against Baroda here today.
Having bundled out Baroda for a meagre 162 in their first innings, the hosts had a real chance of registering an outright victory but their chance was jolted because of the rain-curtailed day today. At stumps, Baba Indrajith was batting on 23 and Dinesh Karthik was also unbeaten on similar score.
Tamil Nadu, who are placed at fifth place in Group B with four draws so far, desperately need a win. The hosts still trail Baroda by 61 runs with seven wickets in hands and two days left to force the issue. Resuming on five for no loss, the overnight batsmen -- Abhinav Mukund and Arun Karthik -- made conscious efforts to upset the opposition spinners.
The duo put on 42 runs for the opening wicket before Karthik got out for 59-ball 23. Mukund was also quick to join his partner in the dressing room for a well-made 29.
Baba Aparajith, who began his Ranji Trophy campaign this year with a double-ton against Services and has scored at least a half-century in every game that followed, today underestimated Yusuf Pathan's turn and was out lbw for two to leave Tamil Nadu reeling at 67 for 3.
However, his twin brother, Indrajith, playing in his second first-class match, displayed good footwork and in the able company of Dinesh Karthik guided Tamil Nadu to lunch without any further damage.
Brief scores: Baroda 1st innings: 162 all out in 83.5 overs (Dhiren Mistry 68; Rahil Shah 4/49, R Aushik Srinivas 3/20). Tamil Nadu 1st innings: 101 for three in 42 overs (Abhinav Mukund 29; Yusuf Pathan 2/39).
Kerala-HP match hangs in balance
Kerala-HP match hangs in balance
Tellicherry (Kerala): The Ranji Trophy Group C match between Kerala and Himachal Pradesh was left hanging in balance on a dramatic day that saw as many as 22 wickets fall on the second day here today.
In reply to Kerala's first innings total of 214, Himachal Pradesh folded for a meagre 174 in their first essay, courtesy a seven-wicket haul by P Prasanth (7/54). However, the hosts themselves were bundled out for 155 in their second innings to set Himachal a target of 196.
Chasing a modest total, Himachal were struggling at 110 for seven at the close of second day's play, still needing 86 with three wickets remaining. Resuming on 164 for five in their first innings, Himachal lost both their overnight batsmen -- Nikhil Gangta and Vishal Bhatia -- early and that triggered a collapse. Himachal's lost five wickets for an addition of just 10 runs.
Kerala, in their second innings, also kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Skipper Sachin Baby was the top scorer with 43 runs. Bipul Sharma of Himachal was the pick of the bowlers with figures of four for 32.
For victory, Kerala needed 196 and they got off to a decent start with openers Ankush Bains (10) and Prasanth Chopra (36) putting on 48 for the first wicket but after their departure, the next four wickets fell for nine runs. From 51 for two, they were suddenly reeling at 60 for five. But skipper Rishi Dhawan and Sangram Singh (15) steadied the boat and shared a valuable 50-run stand for the seventh wicket.
At stumps, Dhawan was unbeaten on 33 and Vikramjeet Malik was yet to open his account.
Brief scores: Kerala: 214 & 155 all out (Sachin Baby 43, V Manoharan not out 39; Bipul Sharma 4/32).
Himachal Pradesh: 174 all out (Nikhil Gangta 28; P Prasanth 7/54) & 110 for seven in 33 overs (Prasanth Chopra 36, Rishi Dhawan batting 33; V Manoharan 4/35).
Harayan comes back strongly against Karnataka
Harayan comes back strongly against Karnataka
Rohtak: Pacer Harshal Patel snapped up a five-wicket haul as Haryana came back strongly to reduce Karnataka to 253 for nine on the second day of their Group A Ranji Trophy match here today.
Dismissed for 247 in the first innings yesterday, Haryana got back in contention with a fine bowling performance spearhead by Patel. Overnight 18 for no loss, Karnataka made a solid start today with Mayank Aggarwal (42) and Lokesh Rahul (98) putting together 96 runs for the opening wicket.
Aggarwal was the first to depart after facing 100 balls and striking six boundaries. Rahul, on the other hand, hit nine fours in his 239-ball stay before being bowled by Patel. Skipper and wicketkeeper Chidhambram Gautam was the only other Karnataka batsman to make a noteworthy contribution with a 109-ball 54, including six fours.
The rest of the batsmen failed to complement the trio as Haryana managed to come back strongly in the match after their own batting failure. Patel was not just among the wickets, he was also economical, conceding merely 55 runs in his 28 overs, 10 of them being maiden.
Brief Scores: Haryana 1st Innings: 247. Karnataka 1st Innings: 253/9 in 92 overs (Lokesh Rahul 98, Chidhambram Gautam 54, Harshal Patel 5/55).
Rajasthan in driver's seat in Ranji match against MP
Rajasthan in driver's seat in Ranji match against MP
Gwalior: Robin Bist remained stranded on 84 but Rajasthan took a 161-run lead over Madhya Pradesh before dismissing two home batsmen to be in a good position in their Ranji Trophy Group B match, here today.
Rajasthan scored 282 in their first innings as they lost eight wickets today for the addition of 167 runs today at captain Roop Singh stadium. Bisht remained unbeaten on 84 as the hosts put on a much better show by taking all eight Rajasthan wickets. Ishwar Pandey was the most successful bowler with a four-wicket haul.
MP then scored 121 for two in their second innings to reduce the deficit to 46 runs. Jalaj Saxena got out in the fag end of the day after scoring a brisk 65, which was studded with 13 boundaries. Saxena was caught by Vineet off pacer Pankaj Singh.
Apart from Saxena, the hosts lost Satyam Choudhary (18), who was caught by rival skipper Hrishikesh Kantikar off paceman Deepak Chahar.
Naman Ojha (32) and Anand Rajan (5) will resume MP innings tomorrow. Earlier, Rajasthan failed to capitalise a good start as they lost wickets at regular intervals.
Brief Scores: Madhya Pradesh 115 and 121 for 2 in 31 overs.(Jalaj Saxena 65, Naman Ojha 32 batting; Pankaj SIngh 1/36). Rajasthan 1st innings: 282 all out in 79 overs.(Robin Bist 84 not out, Saiddharth Saraf 48; Ishawar Pandey 4/92).
Obaid, Bandeep fight hard for J&K on day 2
Obaid, Bandeep fight hard for J&K on day 2
Pune: Jammu and Kashmir were battling to prevent an innings defeat after conceding a 321-run lead against Maharashtra on the second day of their Ranji Trophy Group C match, here today.
Maharashtra, who resumed at 185 for two, declared their innings at 401 for nine, built around some splendid batting by Harshad Khadiwale (87), skipper Rohit Motwani (84) and Anupam Sanklecha (37). Jammu and Kasmir pacers Mohammed Mudhasir (5/87) and Samiullah Beigh (4/126) shared nine wickets between them.
After being all out for 85 in first essay, Jammu and Kashmir put up a much better show by reaching 131 for one at stumps. They are still trailing by 185 runs. Adil Rishi (26), who was caught by paceman Shrikant Mundhe off his own bowling, was the only wicket to fall.
Obaid Haroon (54) and Bandeep Singh (42) were fighting hard for the visitors, having added 84 runs in their second-wicket partnership.
Brief Scores: Jammu & Kashmir: 85 and 131 for 1 in 36 overs. Maharashtra 1st innings: 401 for 9 declared (Harshad Khadiwale (87), Rohit Motwani (84); Mohammed Mudhasir 5/87, Samiullah Beigh 4/126).
Jangid's hundred steers Vidarbha to 332/7
Jangid's hundred steers Vidarbha to 332/7
Chandigarh: Vidarbha piled on the agony on Punjab as Ravi Jangid's patient hundred guided the visitors to 332 for seven on the second day of their Group B Ranji Trophy match here today. After bowling out Punjab for 184 yesterday, Vidarbha have now taken a considerable lead going into the third and penultimate day with three wickets in hand.
At stumps, wicketkeeper Urvesh Patel (32) and Amol Jungade (59) were holding fort for the visitors. Opener Faiz Fazal (99) and Jangid (104) put together 203 runs for the third wicket which laid the foundation for Vidarbha from the Overnight 75/1.
For Punjab, Sandeep Sharma's 34-over toil yielded four wickets for him at the expense of 78 runs. Sharma sent down 10 maiden overs. The day, however, belonged to Fazal and Jangid, who batted with patience to build Vidarbha's innings. Fazal faced 261 deliveries during his stay at the crease and struck 13 boundaries.
Jangid, on the other hand, smashed 14 fours in his 209-ball knock. While Fazal fell to Sharma, Jangid became one of the two victims of VRV Singh. Their departure triggered a mini collapse before Patel and Jungade steered the visitors to safety. While Patel has so far struck two fours, Jungade has hit 11 boundaries.
Brief Scores: Punjab 1st Innings: 184. Vidarbha 1st Innings: 332/7 in 120 overs (Ravi Jangid 104, Faiz Fazal 99, Amol Jungade 59 batting, Sandeep Sharma 4/78).
Bhatia's big ton takes Delhi to 442; Odisha 121/3 on day 2
Sambalpur: Experienced campaigner Rajat Bhatia hit an unbeaten 158 and combined with lower-order batsmen to propel Delhi to a huge 442 all out against Odisha, who were trailing by 321 runs at the end of second day in their Ranji Trophy Group A match, here today.
Bhatia, who resumed at 71, not only recorded his 13th first class century but ensured that Delhi reach a commanding position by building partnerships with lower-order batsmen.
After early departure of his overnight partner Varun Sood (16), Bhatia joined hands with Sumit Narwal (40), raising a 65-run stand for the eighth wicket, and then rattled the opposition with his 92-run partnership
with Ashish Nehra (40) for the ninth wicket.
Bhatia tormented the Odisha bowlers with 18 fours and two sixes in his 258-ball knock. In reply, the hosts were 121 for three in with opener Natraj Behera (53) and skipper Biplab Samantray (27) at the crease.
The duo has already put on 51-run stand for the unfinished fourth-wicket stand after losing Bikas Pati (0), Niranjan Behera (5) cheaply. Goving Poddar batted well for his 70-ball 34 before being caught behind off paceman Parvinder Awana.
Brief Scores: Delhi 1st innings: 442 all out in 134.3 overs.(Rajat Bhatia 158 not out; Mithun Manhas 92; Deepak Behera 3/107). Odisha 1st innings: 121 for 3 in 42 overs.(Natraj Behera 53 batting; Parvinder Awana 1/28).