Punjab looked for a win in their Ranji Trophy round-one clash against Assam at the New PCA Stadium on Wednesday but settled for three points on the final day.
Emanjot Singh Chahal and Salil Arora, who started the day, showed no signs of slowing down. Chahal remained not out on 114 from 137 balls with ten fours and four sixes. Salil Arora scored 110 off 152 balls, also hitting 10 fours and 3 sixes. Their aggressive batting quickly brought Punjab back into the game. Secured a first-innings lead.
The attacking intent was clear from the over. Salil Arora stepped out to Mohit Thakur. Drove the ball hard through the covers. He kept the pressure on pacer Dipjyoti Saikia. Punjab looked for a win in their Ranji Trophy round-one clash against Assam at the New PCA Stadium on Wednesday but had to settle for three points on the final day.
The attacking intent was clear from the over of the day. Salil Arora stepped out to Mohit Thakur. Drove the ball hard through the covers. He kept the pressure on pacer Dipjyoti Saikia, hitting two drives through the covers and mid-off.
Mohit Thakur came under repeated pressure as the partnership grew stronger. Salil Arora lofted him inside-out for a boundary while Emanjot Chahal used a cut to level Punjab’s total with Assam’s 373.
The pair’s bold approach helped Punjab post 191 runs in the session. With a lead of 105 runs, Punjab asked Assam to bat hoping to force a result before the match ended.
Umesh Yadav added two wickets to his tally. He had Nebir Deka caught at gully and then dismissed Rajveer Singh with a delivery that pitched and moved late to beat the batter’s defense. Harpreet Brar then struck, dismissing Rishav Das with a placed length ball that skidded straight.
At 36 for three, Assam found some resistance through Denish Das and Sibsankar Roy, who put together a 57-run partnership. That stand looked like it would help Assam settle. Both were caught behind around tea. Denish Das fell to Harjas Tandon and Harpreet Brar had Sibsankar Roy caught behind, giving Punjab another chance to push for a win.
Gurnoor Brar then broke through with a smart field setting. Three catchers were placed at midwicket. He bowled around the wicket to trap Sumit Ghadigaonkar leg-before. Mukhtar failed to avoid a bouncer from Gurnoor. Had to retire hurt.
Assam managed to hold on for a point through Amlanjyoti Das, who stood strong with Sarupam Purkayastha, who remained not out on 18 from 68 balls and hit three fours. Their stubborn resistance, in the 30 minutes, frustrated Punjab’s hopes of an outright victory.
The scores: Assam — 1st innings: 373.
Punjab — 1st innings:
Vihaan Malhotra lbw b Mukhtar 103, Harnoor Pannu c Ghadigaonkar b Purkayastha 54, Uday Saharan lbw b Purkayastha 30, Jashanpreet Sidhu lbw b Amlanjyoti 22, Ramandeep Singh run out 17, Salil Arora c Deka b Mukhtar 110, Emanjot Chahal (not out) 114, Harjas Tandon (not out) 12; Extras (b-1, lb-7, w-1, nb-7): 16; Total (decl. for six wkts. in 127 overs): 478.
Fall of wickets:1-137, 2-195, 3-195, 4-226, 5-237, 6-437.
Assam bowling: Mukhtar 34-7-128-2, Dipjyoti 15-2-93-0, Amlanjyoti 29-2-77-1, Purkayastha 20-3-64-2, Mohit 29-2-108-0.
Assam — 2nd innings:
Nibir Deka c Harnoor b Umesh 5, Rishav Das b Harpreet 22, Rajveer Singh b Umesh 0, Denish Das c Salil b Harjas 45, Sibsankar Roy c Salil b Harpreet 32, Sumit Ghadigaonkar lbw b Gurnoor 13, Sarupam Purkayastha (not out) 18, Mukhtar Hussain (retd hurt) 4, Amlanjyoti Das (not out) 15; Extras (lb-2, nb-1): 3; Total (for six wkts in 61 overs): 157
Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-16, 3-36, 4-93, 5-106, 6-132.
Punjab bowling: Gurnoor 11-0-38-1, Umesh 9-3-11-2, Harpreet 17-7-44-2, Emanjot 12-3-25-0, Harjas 10-0-34-1, Uday 1-0-1-0, Vihaan 1-0-2-0.
One thought on “Punjab vs Assam: Ranji Trophy Match Ends in Draw”