Avesh, Saurabh lead for Central
Central Zone 64 for 0 (Vivek 34*, Mantri 25*) and 182 lead East Zone 122 (Parag 33, Avesh 3-34, Saurabh 3-46) by 124 runs
After Avesh had already struck twice on the previous evening, Saurabh gave Central their first wicket on the second morning. He trapped Sudip Kumar Gharami in front for 27 in the 20th over of the innings, before having nightwatcher Shahbaz Nadeem bowled six overs later. In between, Yash Thakur had the experienced Anustup Majumdar caught behind cheaply. What was 42 for 2 at one stage soon became 76 for 7, as Avesh had Shahbaz Ahmed bowled for 3.
Riyan Parag and Manisankar Munasingh then entertained with a quick 40-run partnership, which was the only time East seemed to be in control. But Central captain Shivam Mavi had Parag caught for 33, an innings which included five fours and a six, before also getting Akash Deep as he finished with two wickets.
With a vital lead, Central’s openers Vivek Singh and Himanshu Mantri added an unbroken 64 before rain brought an early end to the day’s play. Both looked solid on their way to 34* and 25* respectively, as Central ended the day 124 ahead, and with all ten wickets remaining.
Sindhu, Harshit dominate North East
North East Zone 65 for 3 (Lamichaney 35*, Keishangbam 1*, Kaul 1-3) trail North Zone 540 for 8 dec (Sindhu 150, Harshit 122*, Singha 2-74) by 475 runs
North had begun with Sindhu and Pulkit Narang resuming their overnight seventh-wicket partnership, which ended at 130 when Narang fell for 46. Sindhu and Harshit then got together, adding another 104 at almost a run-a-ball. Sindhu got to his highest first-class score of 150, as the two North batters punished the bowlers to keep piling up runs at will.
Harshit continued being aggressive even after Sindhu departed. He hit 12 fours and nine sixes during his innings, which was his maiden first-class hundred. Harshit formed an undefeated union of 64 for the ninth wicket with Siddharth Kaul, which came at above six runs an over.
But finally, there was some relief for the North East bowlers and fielders when North declared their innings after 136 overs. With a mountain of a score in front of them, North East’s openers started cautiously, before Kaul cleaned up Kishan Lyngdoh in the fourth over. Next over, it was Baltej Singh’s turn to strike, as he removed Joseph Lalthankhuma for 4.
From 10 for 2, Nilesh Lamichaney and captain Rongsen Jonathan added 47 for the third wicket to stage a brief recovery, but Harshit then hit back with the ball to have Jonathan lbw late in the day. North East ended the day 475 behind North’s total.
Himanshu Agrawal is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo
Source: ESPN Crickinfo