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Ranji Trophy Super League round-up, 2nd round, 1st day

Ablash five-for pegs Gujarat back

Cricinfo staff

December 1, 2006

Punjab 24 for 0 trail Gujarat 208 (Thaker 85, Ablash 5-40) by 184 runs
Scorecard

Leading the Punjab attack in just his fifth first-class game, Luv Ablash, the medium-pacer, ran through the Gujarat batting line-up on the first day at Mohali. Vindicating his captain's decision to field first, Ablash removed both the openers inside the first 12 overs and had Andhra struggling at 18 for 2. He returned to break the promising partnership between Niraj Patel and Bhavik Thaker before cleaning up the tail with two more scalps. Thaker was the only Gujarat batsman to pass 30, striking 13 fours on his way to a battling 85. The Punjab openers ended the day on a confident 24 for no loss.

Hyderabad 246 for 5 (Anirudh 87, Rayudu 62) v Rajasthan
Scorecard

For the second match in a row, Anirudh Singh, the left-handed batsman, led Hyderabad's charge, steering them to 246 for 5 at the end of the opening day at Jaipur. Anirudh shared vital stands with Ambati Rayudu, who smashed eight fours during his 85-ball 62, and Arjun Yadav, who gritted out 35. Anirudh fell minutes before stumps, 13 short of his hundred, as Rajasthan clawed their way back into the contest. Mohammad Aslam, the left-arm spinner, snapped up three wickets after a marathon 26 overs and helped Rajasthan stay in the contest.

Baroda 267 for 5 (Williams 146*, Martin 64) v Saurashtra
Scorecard

Connor Williams's battling unbeaten 146 - the 12th century of his first-class career- steered Baroda to a comfortable 267 for 5 at the end of the first day's play at Rajkot. Saurashtra's decision to field first, on their homeground, backfired as Williams and Jacob Martin, the Baroda captain, put on 143 for the fourth-wicket stand. Williams's knock took 289 deliveries as the Saurashtra bowlers, led by the medium-pacer Sandeep Jobanputra, kept a tight leash on the run rate. Martin too couldn't break away, taking 131 balls for his 64, managing 11 fours in the process.

Bengal 226 for 2 (Jhujhunwala 87*, Chakraborty 81) v Mumbai
Scorecard

Half-centuries by Abhishek Jhunjhunwala and Amitava Chakraborty rounded off a good opening day for Bengal, ending at 226 for 2 in their second-round match against Mumbai at Kolkata. Opener Chakraborty made a patient 81 off 232 balls, almost batting through the day, while Jhunjhunwala's 87 was equally sedate, coming off 213 balls. After Bengal chose to bat first, Chakraborty and Arindam Das laid the foundation with a 71-run opening stand before Das was trapped in front by Swapnil Hazare. Chakraborty and Jhunjhunwala then added 130, frustrating the bowlers for another 56 overs, before Nilesh Kulkarni managed the breakthrough, taking a return catch to dismiss Chakraborty.

Delhi 257 for 6 (Chopra 128*, Kumar 4-53) v Uttar Pradesh
Scorecard

Continuing his good form this season, Aakash Chopra, the former India opener, eased to an unbeaten 128 as Delhi ended at 257 for 6 against Uttar Pradesh at the Feroz Shah Kotla. Chopra, who missed out on selection for the Indian Test squad for South Africa, shared useful stands with Virat Kohli and Rajat Bhatia for the fourth and fifth wicket respectively, after seamer Praveen Kumar snared two wickets in quick succession. Kumar gave little away in his 25 overs, conceding just 53 runs and picking up four wickets. He struck a vital blow towards the end, trapping Vijay Dahiya - the centurion from the previous match - leg before.

Tamil Nadu 260 for 4 (Vijay 97*, Badrinath 69) v Andhra
Scorecard

M Vijay, playing only his second first-class match, scored an undefeated 97 as Tamil Nadu ended on a strong position at 260 for 4 against Andhra at Chennai. Vijay, in his maiden appearance in his home ground, mixed caution with aggression in his 262-ball knock, scoring nine fours and a six. Captain S Badrinath, fresh from his 136 against Delhi, added 146 with Vijay before being done in by the Prasad duo - caught wicketkeeper MSK Prasad off Chandramouli Prasad - for 69.

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