Goa snatch draw from Himachal

Dharamsala, October 17

Himachal Pradesh tried hard for an outright win but Goa fought valiantly to escape with a draw on the final day of their Ranji Trophy encounter here today. The hosts, however, grabbed three points on the basis of the first-innings lead; Goa, on the other hand, returned home with a solitary point.

The visitors were in deep trouble after Himachal piled up a massive 625/7 in reply to their below-par 255 in the first innings. It wasn’t going to be easy to survive the last day with the hosts so far ahead in the game. Goa, however, showed a lot of courage and conviction to defy the hosts and escape with a draw. 

The great escape was scripted by Goan openers Swapnil Asnodkar (167) and Sumiran Amonkar (137), both hitting big centuries and amassing 299 runs for the first wicket. The hosts tried their best to break the partnership but the duo held the fort long enough to take defeat out of the equation. 

Big win for Delhi 

New Delhi: Delhi thrashed Railways by an innings 105 runs for an outright win here today. Spinner Vikas Mishra (4/37) starred with the ball as Railways were bowled out for 206 runs in their second innings. The Railways batsmen came up with a slightly better show in the second innings — they were dismissed for just 136 in the first — but the effort wasn’t good enough to save them from a massive defeat.

Brief scores: Himachal Pradesh: 625/7; Goa: 255 & 426/2 (S Asnodkar 167, S Amonkar 137).

Delhi: 447; Railways: 136; & 206 all out (N Bhille 73; V Mishra 4/37, M Sharma 3/67). — TNS