SILCHAR, Dec 1 - Banking on a brilliant knock of 160 runs from skipper Ajay Rohera, Madhya Pradesh posted 401 runs in the first innings against Assam on Day II in the ongoing Col CK Nayudu Trophy match at the SM Dev Stadium here today.
Despite a five-wicket haul by pacer Dharani Rabha and spinner Avinav Choudhury�s four wickets, Assam seemed to lack the firepower to restrict the opponent from scoring runs with ease. Ajay Rohera began the innings with his overnight score of 69 runs and went on to score his century in 196 balls. He reached yet another landmark of 150 runs in 263 balls along with lower order batsman Gaurav Patel who also played a fine knock of 86 runs before being caught in the deep to end the innings of the visiting team at the stroke of tea.
It could have been worse for the home team had left arm quickie Pankaj Patel caught opener Biplab Saikia of his own bowling in the first over of the Assam first innings. However, Biplab�s let off saw a flurry of good shots to get the innings going for Assam and along with Prasenjit Sarkar, Biplab added 35 runs for the first wicket. With both openers back in the hut, Assam ended the day with 61 runs on the board trailing by 340 runs. Captain Abhishek Thakuri is batting on 12 runs along with Shubham Mandal on 10 runs.
Brief scores: Madhya Pradesh 1st innings 401 (Ajay Rohera 160, Gaurav Patel 86, Salman Khan 74, Dharani Rabha 5/107, Avinav Choudhury 4/45). Assam 1st innings 61/2 (Biplab Saikia 26, Abhishek Thakuri 12 n.o, Shubham Mandal 10 n.o).
