Himachal News/Himachal Pradesh take 118-run lead over Assam

Dharamsala, November 28, 2013: Seam bowler Rishi Dhawan returned with a five-wicket haul to lead a disciplined bowling attack as Himachal Pradesh dismissed Assam for a meager 81 in their first innings before themselves reaching 199 for four on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy Group C match here today.  Skipper Dhawan led from the front with figures of 13-5-29-5, while his pace partner V S Malik (3/24) took three wickets and Akshay Chauhan (2/23) accounted for two at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium here.  Himachal have already taken 118 runs first innings lead with six wickets remaining.

For Assam, only three batsmen -- Niraj Patel (17), J Syed Mohammad (17) and Dheeraj Jadhav (13) -- reached the double digits after they were put in to bat. The visitors innings folded in just 32.5 overs. In reply to Assam's first innings score, Himachal batsmen batted with a lot of responsibility and almost everyone in the top and middle order contributed to the team's cause.  Although all of them wasted their good starts as they lose their wickets after reaching 30s and 40s.  At stumps, Nikhil Gangta was unbeaten on 43 and giving him company at the other end was Rishi Dhawan on 36.

Brief scores:

Assam 1st innings: 81 all out in 32.5 overs (Niraj Patel 17, J Syed Mohammad 17; Rishi Dhawan 5/29, VS Malik 3/24).

Himachal Pradesh: 199 for four in 56 overs (Nikhil Gangta batting 43, Sangram Singh 40, Prashant Chopra 39, Paras Dogra 38).