GUWAHATI, Nov 20 � Assam created history in Ranji Trophy by successfully chasing a mammoth first innings total of 562 against Bengal. The match was ended in a draw and by virtue of first innings lead Assam got three points against Bengal�s one.
On the final day of the four-day Super League match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata today, Assam gathered 588 for six when stumps were finally drawn.
Although it was a batting track, to chase over 500 runs was not an easy task for the visiting side that too against team like Bengal at their home ground. It was Assam�s second highest score in Ranji Trophy as earlier they scored 687 for seven against Tripura at Nehru Stadium here in 1991-92 series.
Assam resumed their innings at the overnight total of 293 for three and both the unbeaten batsmen S Sriram and Arlen Konwar, who came as a night watchman, batted cautiously. Off spinner Arlen provided good support to Sriram who scored a gallant 146 and both added valuable 81 runs for the fourth wicket. Arlen scored 26.
The heroes of final day were Tarjinder Singh and Gokul Sharma who added massive 186 runs for the sixth wicket and the partnership finally proved to be a big blow for the hosts. Showing absolute courage and determination both the batsmen put their heads down and played as per demand of the situation. Gokul smacked 101 and remained unbeaten while Tarjinder was out for 98. It is for the second time that Tarjinder was out at nervous 90s. Earlier, he was out for 99 against Tamil Nadu.
Gokul�s 182-ball knock was a classic one which studded with 14 boundaries and a towering sixer. Tarjinder faced 153 deliveries.
Earlier, Sriram completed his second century for Assam in this season. Sriram�s innings lasted for 171 minutes during which he faced 194 balls. He hit 22 boundaries.
It was yet another disappointing day for the Bengal bowlers as on the flat track they could remove only three Assam wickets in whole day. Lahiri, Jhunjhunwala and Shukla took one wicket each.
SCORECARD
Bengal 1st innings: 562/6 decl.
Assam 1st innings: DS Jadhav b Shami Ahmed 62, SA Roy c Saha b Shami Ahmed 89, S Sriram c & b Lahiri 146, AA Muzumdar b Shami Ahmed 44, A Konwar b Shukla 26, Tarjinder Singh c & b Jhunjhunwala 98, G Sharma not out 101, KN Saikia not out 0. Extras: (b 4, lb 15, w 2, nb 1) 22. Total (6 wickets; 169 overs) 588. Fall of wickets: 1-150, 2-167, 3-293, 4-374, 5-386, 6-562. Bowling: RR Bose 36-3-144-0, Shami Ahmed 27-5-118-3, SS Lahiri 41-10-110-1, AA Jhunjhunwala 14-3-52-1, LR Shukla 19-4-41-1, S Singh 32-3-104-0.
