Delhi hammer Assam in sight of innings victory

Delhi sent the Assam bowlers on a leatherhunt with as many as three batsmen hitting tons as the Unmukt Chand-led team are looking good to notch up a facile innings victory in opening group league encounter of the Ranji Trophy on Saturday.

Starting the day at 241 for 3, Delhi plundered their way to declare at 589 for eight in 128.1 overs. The north zone state added 348 runs on the day in only 57.1 overs. At stumps, Assam were 100 for 3 in their second essay still needing 296 runs to avoid innings defeat. Such was Delhi’s domination that their batsmen in all hit 49 boundaries and 16 sixes in their innings.

Left-handed Rishabh Pant, touted as an India prospect, began his season with a bang as he smashed 146 off only 124 balls with 13 boundaries and eight huge sixes. 100 runs in Pant’s 146 came in boundaries off 21 scoring strokes. 

This was former India U-19 stumper’s first century in first-class cricket in his very third match. The other young left-hander Nitish Rana also scored 146 but it was a contrasting knock that came off 222 deliveries with 19 boundaries and two sixes. The duo, who came together at 103 for three on the second day put on 220 runs in 43.2 overs.

Having conceded a huge lead of 396 runs, Assam found it difficult to negotiate left-arm spinners Varun Sood (1/17) and Manan Sharma (2/45). Rahul Hazarika (40) was well set before he was holed out by Sangwan off Manan.