Published on Oct 19
GUWAHATI: Tripura were under huge pressure against Assam at the end of the second day of their Ranji Trophy encounter at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati on Monday. The side were bundled out for a paltry 62 in their first innings and was forced to follow on.
Chasing Assam’s first-innings total of 334, Tripura’s batting line-up crumbled under pressure, with only two batters managing to reach double figures. Manisankar Murasingh top-scored with 17, while Sentu Sarkar contributed 11. Mukhtar Hussain and Mohit Thakur spearheaded Assam’s bowling attack, claiming three wickets each to leave Tripura in deep trouble.
However, Tripura showed some resistance in their second innings and reached 143 for five at stumps. Still trailing by 129 runs, the visitors needed a substantial effort to avoid defeat.
Captain Manisankar Murasingh led the fightback with an unbeaten 59, striking three fours and two sixes. He found an able partner in Sentu Sarkar, who remained not out on 41. The pair offered some hope of a recovery after the team's disastrous first-innings performance and added unbeaten 89 runs on the sixth-wicket.
Earlier, Assam posted 334 in their first innings, with Swarupam Purkayastha emerging as the leading scorer. He compiled a valuable 69 off 107 balls, hitting six boundaries and two sixes to strengthen Assam’s total. Roshan Alam also made a useful contribution lower down the order, scoring 36.
For Tripura, Sandip Sarkar was the most successful bowler, finishing with figures of four for 76, while Manisankar Murasingh claimed three wickets for 55 runs.
PHOTO CAPTION Swarupam Purkayastha (File photo)