Ranji Trophy Group A: Rajasthan earn three points after frustrating Delhi on final day
Veteran opener Vineet Saxena and middle-order batsman Puneet Yadav added 150-runs for the unbroken fourth wicket stand as Rajasthan managed three points against Delhi by virtue of their 102-run first innings lead.
Rajasthan never went for the chase of 336 and instead wanted to focus on getting the three points that were ensured as they scored 186 for three after being down to 36 for three within the first hour.
Dogged right-hander Saxena, known for stonewalling in domestic cricket, brought on all his experience of saving domestic games scoring an unbeaten 80 in six hours having faced 274 balls. There were eight boundaries though.
His younger partner Puneet scored comparatively quickly as his 75 with eight fours and a six came off 175 balls.
Expecting the pitch to offer appreciable turn and bounce, Delhi skipper Gautam Gambhir introduced Manan early into attack. Although he gave away only 58 runs in 34 overs, there was nothing in his bowling that would have troubled the batsmen.
Pacer Parvinder Awana, who has been Delhi’s best bet for taking wickets on placid pitches was given only 11 overs in the innings. Pawan Suyal (2/23) bowled well in his 18 overs but the rest of the attack didn’t have the required sting to trouble the batsmen.
Brief Scores: Delhi 138 & 437/9 decl. Rajasthan 240 & (target 336) 186/3 (Vineet Saxena 80 not out, Puneet Yadav 75 no). match drawn. Pts: Delhi 3; Rajasthan 1.
Vidarbha settle for three points
Vidarbha got three points for taking the first innings lead against Odisha in a Group A match that ended in a draw.
Following on, Odisha reached 230 for six on day four of the match with opposition bowler Akshay Wakhare taking five wickets. The visitors folded up for 274 in their first innings in response to Vidarbha’s 467.
Odisha, resuming the day at 15 for no loss, went on the bat for 105 overs before play was called off. Anurag Sarangi top scored for the away team with 92 while Pratik Das remained unbeaten on 39.
The match will be remembered for Umesh Yadav scoring his maiden First Class century. The India pacer however failed to pick a wicket in either innings.
Twin tons earn Maharashtra three points
Strokeful centuries from Ankit Bawne and Chiragh Khurana helped Maharashtra post a mammoth 570 for six at close of the fourth and final day’s play to earn three points on the basis of first innings lead.
Responding to Haryana’s 335 in the first innings, the Rohit Motwani-led Maharashtra saw a mammoth 246-run sixth-wicket partnership between Bawne (172) and Khurana (136 not out) to enable a 235-run lead at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.
Karthick ton helps Assam garner three points
Ton-up Karthick ensures 3 points for Assam against Karnataka Guwahati, Oct 4 (PTI) K B Arun Karthick struck a vital unbeaten 115 to help Assam garner three crucial points against defending champions Karnataka.
Chasing a huge 388 for an outright win, Assam were 30 for one in their second innings on Saturday.
The hosts rode on former Tamil Nadu cricketer Arun Karthick’s patient century to eke out a draw and ensure three points for the side by virtue of first innings lead over the title holders.
