Gurinder’s ton helps Chandigarh overcome poor start against Chhattisgarh at Ranji Trophy

Looking for an outright win to stay in contention at the Ranji Trophy, Chandigarh lads made a disastrous start with 49/6 on the board against Chhattisgarh, in Rapiur. However, a 7th wicket 168-run partnership between Gurinder Singh and Amrit Lal Lubana helped the local side to a respectable total of 283.

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While Gurinder posted 113 off 184 balls, studded with 13 boundaries, Lubana chipped with 92 off 170 balls, with 11 boundaries and one six. The side posted 283 before getting all-out in 80.4 overs.

Chhattisgarh batters posted 13 for no loss, at the drawn of the stumps, to trail by 270 runs.

Earlier, Chhattisgarh skipper AG Tiwary won the toss and put Chandigarh to bat. Chhattisgarh pacer Ravi Kiran wrecked Chandigarh’s top order.

Manan Vohra, the captain for the Chandigarh side, was the first to go without opening his account, followed by Shivam Bhambri (12), Ankit Kaushik (0) and Vishu (0)—all preyed by Kiran. Sai Painkra did more damage by claiming Mayank Sidhu (13) and Raj Angad Bawa (8) to reduce Chandigarh to 49/6.

Thereafter, the duo of Lubana and Gurinder took charge and helped the side to rebuild the innings. They faced 295 balls to raise a 168-run partnership.

As the duo was well settled, Sumit Ruikar gave Chhattisgarh a much-needed breakthrough by claiming Lubana at the team’s total of 217. Gurinder become Kiran’s fifth victim of the innings, as he left the side at 253. Ruikar also claimed the wickets of Jagjit Singh Sandhu (4) and Nishunk Birla (26) was run out by Sanjeet Desai. Kiran returned with 5/68, while Painkra took 2/52 and Ruikar grabbed 2/68.

Punjab collapses at 192

Meanwhile, Punjab batters failed to deliver their best as the side was bundled out for a lowly 192 against Bengal, in Kolkata.

Sumit Mohanta was the pick of the bowlers as he accounted 4/58, while Suraj Sidhu Jaiswal accounted 4/68 for Kolkata. Mohammed Kaif also picked 2/41.

The host skipper opted to filed, and the bowlers supported the decision by packing half the side at 61. Had it not been Anmol Malhotra, the side could have been packed under 100. Malhotra stood tall by recoding an unbeaten 106 off 114 balls, with 11 boundaries and two sixes. Sahaj Dhawan (25) and Gurnoor Brar (22) were the two other notable scorers for Punjab.

In reply, Bengal lads posted 119/4, to trail by 72, at the drawn of the stumps. Brar accounted two, while Aradhya Shukla and Sahil picked one each to help Punjab get four wickets. Sumanta Gupta (39) and Anustup Majumdar (32) were the two main scorers for the side.