GUWAHATI, Dec 10 � On the light truncated penultimate day of the four-day Group C Ranji Trophy match at the Nehru Stadium here today, Himachal Pradesh were 158 for the loss of four wickets in reply Assam�s first innings total of 354.
The match started only after lunch as poor visibility spoilt the morning session�s play. Today, 45 overs were possible during which the visiting team added 128 runs losing four wickets.
Star opener Akash Chopra completed his half century (55) and contributed 73 runs for the opening wicket partnership with Varun Sharma (35). Chopra batted for 265 minutes and faced 193 balls. His compact innings was studded with 8 boundaries.
The unbeaten fifth wicket partnership between Amit Kumar (20) and Rishi Dhawan (28) added 37 runs which became vital for the team after losing a couple of middle order batsmen in quick succession. Assam left arm spinner Syed Mohammad picked up two wickets, including Chopra, while pacers Abu Nechim Ahmed and Arup Das took one each. Arup was quite impressive from the Railway line end but failed to take more than one wicket.
SCORECARD
Assam 1st innings: 354
Himachal Pradesh 1st innings: A Chopra st Saikia b Syed Mohammad 55, Varun Sharma c Tarjinder Singh b Ahmed 35, P Dogra c Saikia b AK Das 7, Amit Kumar not out 20, Mukesh Sharma c Debnath b Syed Mohammad 0, R Dhawan not out 28. Extras: (b 4, lb 9) 13. Total: (4 wickets; 75 overs) 158. Fall of wickets: 1-73, 2-84, 3-117, 4-121. Bowling: AN Ahmed 27-12-42-1, AK Das 26-12-41-1, PP Das 4-1-13-0, A Konwar 7-0-17-0, J Syed Mohammad 11-3-32-2.
