Railways derail Chandigarh batters, log win in 3 days

Needing 341 runs in two days to open their Ranji Trophy campaign with a win, local batters faltered under home conditions to face a huge 181-run defeat against Railways, at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 26.

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In their first innings, the visitors had posted 142. Chandigarh batters replied feebly and got bundled out at 109. In their second innings, the Railways came up with a good show by scoring 307 to give a 341-run target to the home team. However, the city batters failed to grab the opportunity and could score 159 runs to face an outright defeat in their opening encounter.

Resuming from 31/1, after Chandigarh skipper Manan Vohra failed to open his account on the second day, Shivam Bhambri and Arslan Khan were to start the penultimate day carefully. After adding just four runs to the overnight total, Bhambri was back to the pavilion. He was caught by Upendra Yadav, who scored a brilliant ton for the visiting side in the second innings, off Himanshu Sangwan for 28 off 33 balls, with three boundaries and two sixes. Gaurav Puri (8) then joined Khan, but only to raise an eight-run partnership, before Sangwan accounted him at the team’s total of 43.

Thereafter, Ankit Kaushik and Khan joined hands. The seasoned duo played sensibly and faced 98 balls to come up with a 67-run stand for the 4th wicket — the highest partnership for Chandigarh. As the duo was well settled on the crease, Khan played a loose shot to get caught by Vivek Singh off Shivam Chaudhary. Khan posted 46 off 82 balls, studded with nine boundaries, as the team struggled at 110/4. Raj Angad Bawa carried high hopes to stabilise the innings, but he contributed 13 before falling prey to Akash Pandey. As half the batters were back in the hut, misery surrounded the local side. Arjit Singh (4) was the next to go, as Pandey doubles his figures. Kaushik who was holding on to one end finally succumbed to the pressure. He was bowled by Karn Sharma for 45 off 60 balls, studded with six boundaries, as city lads were reduced to 147/7.

Karn accounted two more wickets — Vishu (0) and Sandeep Sharma (2), while Pandey picked Jagjit Singh Sandhu (10 off 27 balls, with one six), to hand over Chandigarh a devastating defeat.

Pandey remained the pick of the bowlers as he took 4/46, while Karn (3/18) and Sangwan (2/28) were the other main wicket takers for the bowling side. In the innings, the trio took a collective of eight wickets to defend a nominal total of 142 against Chandigarh.