KB Arun Karthick struck a vital unbeaten 115 to help Assam garner three crucial points against defending champions Karnataka after their Group ‘A’ Ranji Trophy match ended in a tame draw, Guwahati, on Sunday.
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.
Resuming from the overnight score, Assam lost Pallav Kumar Das (26) and Amit Verma early before skipper Gokul Sharma and Arun Karthick joined hands to steady the innings.
The duo shared 132 runs for the fourth wicket to stabilise Assam as they finally ended their second innings on 259 for five in 102 overs.
Arun Karthick played out 258 balls and struck 15 boundaries and three sixes during his century knock. Sharma also made vital 55 off 154 balls while left-arm spinner Jamaluddin Syed Mohammad (21 off 96) also came up with a gritty knock to deny any inroads to the Karnataka bowlers.
For Karnataka, skipper R Vinay Kumar (2/41) and left-arm spinner Jagadeesha Suchith (2/60) picked up two wickets apiece.
While Assam pocketed three points by virtue of the slender seven runs first innings lead, Karnataka garnered one point from the match.
Brief Scores:
Karnataka: 187 & 394 for eight decl. (Ravikumar Samarth 131, Mayank Agarwal 47; Swarupam Purkayastha 3/78).
Assam: 194 & 259 for five in 102 overs (K B Arun Karthick 115 not out, Gokul Sharma 55; R Vinay Kumar 2/41).
Result: Match drawn
Points: Assam 3, Karnataka 1
Bawne, Khurana tons help Maharashtra earn 3 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 in the drawn Group ‘A’ Ranji Trophy cricket match against Haryana, in Pune. 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.
In a match dominated by the bat, Haryana captain Virender Sehwag (92) started the run-scoring followed by a patient 157 from Himanshu Rana. Maharashtra pacers Samad Fallah (3-78) and Nikit Dhumal (3-55) bagged three wickets apiece amidst the run feast.
But come the Maharashtra innings and the batsmen once again dominated proceedings as opener Swapnil Gugale struck a fluent 91 to give the hosts a solid start. Harshad Khadiwale (44) stood with Gugale to enable a 115-run opening stand.
Kedar Jadav also contributed with a quick 46 runs before
Bawne and Khurana took centerstage.
Medium-pacer Ashish Hooda and off-spinner Jayant Yadav bagged two wickets apiece.
Brief Scores:
Haryana: 335 all out
Maharashtra: 570/6 in 150 overs (Ankit Bawne 172, Chiragh Khurana 136 not out; Ashish Hooda 2-75, Jayant Yadav 2-175).
Points: Maharashtra 3, Haryana 1
Rain stops play as match ends in a draw
Goa gained three points by virtue of their first-innings lead as the Ranji Trophy cricket match against Hyderabad ended in a draw after the umpires called off play due to rain in Porvorim, Goa.
The field umpires called off play after tea on the final day of the Group ‘C’ match, at GCA ground.
Resuming at overnight 349/5, Goa made 425/7 when the heavens opened up.
Rahul Keni(17) and Shadab Jakati (0) were the batsman at the crease.
Goa had taken a 100-run first innings lead. Hyderabad earned a point from the drawn match.
The highlight was a fine century by Sagun Kamat who scored 109. Kamat struck fours and a six while facing 286 balls.
