Vijay Merchant trophy: Chandigarh in command with 230-run partnership of Akul, Anurag

Akul Bhanot came up a brilliant 152 and Anurag Budhwar posted 125 to help Chandigarh gain a commanding position against Himachal Pradesh on the opening day of the Vijay Merchant Trophy at Shimoga in Karnataka. The city lads declared their innings at 338/5, while the Himachal batters posted 46 for no loss at the draw of the stumps.

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Chandigarh started their innings with openers Budhwar and Yashjeet Singh. Both raised a 43-run partnership for the opening wicket. Yashjeet (23 off 37 balls, with four boundaries) was trapped in front of the wicket by Anushman Singh Rana. Thereafter, Bhanot and Budhwar started building an unforgettable partnership. They not only completed their centuries but also helped the team make a strong grip over the match.

The 230-run partnership between the two ended when Budhwar was caught by Jayadita Dogra off Kartikay Sharma at 125 off 218 balls, with 18 boundaries and two sixes. Bhanot, meanwhile, continued his innings and was joined by Parth. However, the partnership was cut short soon, as Parth (1) returned to the pavilion after being stumped by Varun Thakur off Adil Rana. Skipper Daksh Kashyap joined Bhanot and both raised 43 runs for the 4th wicket. The partnership was halted as Bhanot lost his wicket to Varun Singh for 154 off 173 balls, with 15 boundaries and six sixes.

Kashyap (13 off 15 balls) and Arjunveer Singh (12 off 10 balls) pushed the total to 338 before Chandigarh declared their innings. Varun Singh, Anshuman, Kishan Kumar, Adil and Kartikay Sharma picked one wicket each for the bowling side. Himachal openers Arjun Pathania (30 off 54 balls, with six boundaries) and Varun Thakur (14 off 36 balls, with one boundary) were unbeaten at the draw of the stumps.