File photo: Ishan Kishan struck his third first-class century on Saturday © International Cricket Council
Ishan Kishan’s second century this season, an unbeaten 162, helped Jharkhand recover from 80 for 4 to end up with 359 for 6 at stumps on the opening day of their fifth-round Group B fixture against Delhi at the St Xaviers College ground in Thumba. Unmukt Chand, leading in Gautam Gambhir’s absence owing to national duties, went in with three seamers, and the decision seemed justified until Kishan walked in to bat at No. 6. He first forged a 116-run stand with Ishank Jaggi (55) and followed that up with a 120-run stand with Kaushal Singh (39). Kishan’s runs came at a strike rate of 76.06; he hit 14 fours and six sixes.
Karnataka recovered from 120 for 7 to post 267 against Vidarbha in Baroda. Their No. 10 K Gowtham, also the side’s leading wicket-taker so far with 18 scalps, top-scored with an unbeaten 60 to somewhat negate the damage inflicted by medium pacer Lalit Yadav, who scythed through the middle order. He finished with 5 for 67. Vidarbha failed to strengthen their grip as the last-wicket pair of Gowtham and S Aravind added 78, before Yadav returned to complete his maiden five-wicket haul. Vidarbha were 10 without loss at stumps.
Four of Rajasthan’s top five failed to capitalise on strong starts on an attritional day against Odisha in Patiala. They went into stumps on 249 for 5 in 78 overs, with SF Khan, on first-class debut, unbeaten on 65. The fifth-wicket stand of 76 between Mahipal Lomror, the 16-year old who represented India at the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year, and Khan was the highest of the innings so far. Five Odisha bowlers shared the spoils, with Dhiraj Singh being the most economical among the frontline bowlers.
Intermittent showers meant no play was possible between bottom-placed sides Assam and Saurashtra at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Play will start 30 minutes early on each of the remaining three days, weather permitting.
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo