All class: Riyan was neat and compact throughout his knock.
| Photo Credit: RITU RAJ KONWAR
Assam captain Riyan Parag perpetuated his current string of excellent scores with one other dazzling century (116) on the ACA Stadium right here on Sunday.
Despite his knock, Kerala held the aces within the Ranji Trophy match after decreasing the hosts to 231 for seven at stumps on the third day. Bad mild truncated the proceedings as solely 57 overs had been bowled.
The begin was delayed for one-and-half hours and Riyan got here to bat within the second over after Basil Thampi had in a single day batter S.C. Ghadigaoankar edging a catch to wicketkeeper Vishnu for 4.
The skipper began with an imperious straight drive and picked Thampi off his toes for the second boundary within the over to get into his groove rapidly.
There was nothing frenetic and slapdash in his batting. Riyan was neat and compact and easily punished the dangerous balls, which had been many, throughout his keep within the center. A brief-arm pull over sq. leg for six off M.D. Nidheesh and a canopy drive for 4 off Thampi stood out for his or her magnificence.
Dour accomplice
Opener Rishav Das was very a lot the dour accomplice in the course of the 91-run four-wicket stand with Riyan. Thampi breached Rishav’s (31) defence because the batter did not capitalise on the ‘life’ he received when he was on 29.
Thampi was relentless and posed looking inquiries to the Assam batters and solely Riyan seemed snug dealing with him. But Thampi lacked assist from different bowlers as they strayed of their line and had been punished by Riyan.
Gokul Sarma, Assam’s most skilled batter, hung round so as to add 52 for the fifth wicket with Riyan. Jalaj Saxena foxed Gokul and had him stumped to depart Assam at 168 for 5.
Riyan continued in the identical vein and reached his century with a sublime drive for 4 off Nidheesh. Vishweshar Suresh gave Kerala a giant raise by trapping Riyan in entrance.
However, Akash Sengupta (11 batting) and Mukhtar Hussain (19 batting) stalled Kerala’s hopes of wrapping up the innings rapidly.
The scores:
Kerala — 1st innings: 419.
Assam — 1st innings: Rishav Das b Thampi 31, Rahul Hazarika b Thampi 9, Siddharth Sarmah lbw Jalaj 0, S.C. Ghadigaoankar c Vishnu b Thampi 4, Riyan Parag lbw Suresh 116, Gokul Sarma st. Vishnu b Jalaj 12, Saahil Jain c Anand Krishnan b Thampi 17, Akash Sengupta (batting) 11, Mukhtar Hussain (batting) 19, Extras (b-6, lb-5, nb-1): 12; Total (for seven wkts. in 62 overs): 231.
Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-14, 3-25, 4-116, 5-168, 6-190, 7-205.
Kerala bowling: Thampi 15-0-69-4, Jalaj 17-0-58-2, Shreyas 6-1-17-0, Nidheesh 12-3-41-0, Suresh 11-3-33-1, Akshay 1-0-2-0.
Source: www.thehindu.com
