Published on October 27
GUWAHATI : Sib Sankar Roy stood tall amid a lower-order collapse to score a fighting century as Assam were bowled out for 281 against Saurashtra on the second day of their Ranji
Trophy encounter in Rajkot on Tuesday. The day also brought a memorable milestone for Assam spinner Swarupam Purkayastha, who completed 100 wickets in first-class cricket.
Roy's second century of the season was the cornerstone of Assam's innings. Resuming at 235 for six, Assam were looking to build on their overnight position, but the dismissal of Amlanjyoti Das for 19, with the score at 246 for seven, triggered a swift end to the innings. Mukhtar Hussain and Mohit Thakur failed to score, while H. Deka remained unbeaten without opening his account.
With wickets tumbling at the other end, Roy held his ground and carried the fight to the Saurashtra attack. He eventually fell as the final batter, having compiled 100 off 228 balls, with nine fours and a six. It was the second century in the seson for veteran left hander who earlier scored a century against Punjab.
Saurashtra skipper Jaydev Unadkat led the bowling effort with three wickets for 50 runs, while Ravindra Jadeja and Prerak Bhut picked up two wickets each.
Saurashtra's reply saw Assam's bowlers keep the contest alive by striking at regular intervals. The hosts closed the day at 156 for four, leaving them 125 runs behind Assam's first-innings total.
Opener H. Kotak remained unbeaten on 65 and emerged as the mainstay of the Saurashtra innings. H. Desai fell for nine, C. Jani made five, and Jadeja contributed 21 before being dismissed. Jay Gohil scored 33 before becoming Purkayastha's landmark victim, with wicketkeeper Sumit Ghadigaonkar completing the stumping. Arpit Vasavada was unbeaten on 12 at stumps.
Purkayastha's dismissal of Gohil brought up his 100th first-class wicket, adding a significant personal achievement to an encouraging day for Assam. Swaruam reached the milestone in his 62nd first class game.
With Saurashtra still trailing by 125 runs and six wickets in hand, the third day's play promises to be crucial in determining the direction of the contest.
Swarupam is the 10th bowler from Assam to have taken 100 or more first-class wickets. The other bowlers who have achieved this milestone are Arup Das, Arlen Konwar, Abu Nechim Ahmed, Sukhwinder Singh, Mukhtar Hussain, Krishna Das, Anup Ghatak, Ranjit Mali, and J. Syed Mohammed.
PHOTO CAPTION: Sib Sankar Roy (left) and Swarupam Purkayastha.