City end debut season on a high

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 14

Chandigarh finished their inaugural Ranji Trophy season on a winning note as they defeated Manipur by an innings and 405 runs on the third day of their Plate Group match in Kolkota today.

The Manan Vohra-led side though failed to make it to the knockouts. The side amassed 43 points from nine matches with four wins and five draws and are placed second in the Plate Group after Goa, who accumulated 50 points from seven wins and two draws. Pondicherry occupied the third spot at 41 points. Only the top team from the Plate Group advances to the knockouts.

Trailing Chandigarh by 576 runs at the close of second day’s play after being asked to follow-on by Vohra, the hosts were all out for 204 runs in their second essay on Friday.

Jagjit Singh Sandhu was the wrecker-in-chief for the visitors, claiming 7/52 in his 10.4 overs. Left-arm spinner Bipul Sharma took 2/16, while leg-spinner Ankit Kaushik bagged 1/22.

Resuming at overnight 33/0, Manipur added another 23 runs to the total before Sandhu drew the first blood for the visitors, removing Manipur skipper Narsingh Yadav on 16. Three balls later, Sandhu clean bowled Gemson Singh for naught to reduce the hosts to 56/2.

Basir Rahman, who was unbeaten on 9 yesterday, then in company of Sheiteendra Singh took the total to 95 runs. The 39-run partnership between the two came to an end when Sheiteendra was dismissed by Kaushik on 17.

Rahman found an able ally in Shamir Khan and together they added 82 runs for the fourth wicket. The duo was separated when Khan was cleaned up by Sandhu on 32. The medium-pacer accounted for Bishwash Singh (0) and Rex Rajkumar (2) in the same over to leave Manipur struggling at 179/7.

Bipul Sharma got rid of Sunil Singh (0) before Sandhu sent back Rahman on 97 to pick up his sixth wicket.

Thomas Moirangthem and Sunil Salam lasted just six balls as Chandigarh wrapped up Manipur innings on 204. While Moirangthem fell to Sharma on 4, Sunil was castled by Sandhu on 7.

Chandigarh had declared their first innings closed on 672/8. Manipur, in reply, were bowled out for 63 runs.