Yashpal Singh puts Services
on top with double ton

A strokeful double century by Yashpal Singh put Services in a commanding position, as they posted a mammoth 491 for eight declared on the second day of the Ranji Trophy Plate 'A' group match against Tripura in Delhi on Wednesday.

At stumps, Tripura were 65 for 1 in 29 overs.

Resuming at 243 for two, Yashpal Singh (77 not out) carried on and completed his century before the lunch break and then raced away to his double century just after the tea break. He hit 26 boundaries and two sixes in a 342-ball essay, which lasted 478 minutes. He was finally caught at first slip by Gourpada off Anup Das, who returned with impressive figures of three for 63.

Yaspal had hit a double century against Punjab in Ranji Trophy in Amritsar last year.

Jasbir Singh (120), who scored a century on Tuesday, was unable to carry. He was caught at second slip by Abdul Sattar off the bowling of Timir Chanda.

For Tripura, Chanda and Anup Das took three wickets each, conceeding 64 and 106 runs respectively. Sunil Sukla and Gaurpada took a wicket each, giving away 98 and 39 runs respectively.

A quickfire 44 by Arun Sharma was the other noteworthy performance for Services.

Tripura started thier innings badly, losing their first wicket at the score of 39, when Saurav Dasgupta (18) was caught by Arun Sharma off Sanjay Dhul.

At stumps, Ritesh Jaishwal and Rajib Dutta were batting at 29 and 13 runs respectively.

Saurashtra 257 for 9 against Vidarbha

Left-arm spinner Madhusudan Acharya's haul of 4 for 65 broke the back of Saurashtra as they were left struggling at 257 for nine in their first innings in reply to hosts Vidarbha's 300 on the second day of Plate 'B' group Ranji Trophy tie in Nagpur on Wednesday.

Resuming at their overnight total of 12 without loss, Saurashtra lost wickets at regular intervals and were in deep trouble at one stage with the score reading 94 for four.

Debutant middle order batsman Jaidev Shah (76) showed some resilience in holding the side's innings together. Tailender Joli Jobanputra (batting 38) along with Firoz Bhambhani (batting 16) kept the visitors' hopes alive at close.

Altaf Merchant (25) and Ashok Kamaliya (22) were the other major contributors for Saurashtra.

Vidarbha were all out on opening day for 300, off 82.3 overs.

Sandeep Dahad's unbeaten 71 helps Goa score 195 for 8

Left-hander Sandeep Dahad's unbeaten 71 and his 86-run eighth-wicket partnership with Rohit Rane (41) helped Goa recover and score 195 for 8 in their first innings on the second day of the four-day Ranji Trophy Plate 'A' group match against Kerala in Kochi on Wednesday.

Kerala had scored 212 in their first innings.

Goa, who seemed to be progressing well at 60 for 2 at one stage, plunged into trouble as Kerala's left-arm spinner Sureshkumar struck vital blows in quick succession to send the visitors crashing to 85 for 7.

However, Dahad along with Rane, helped the team recover, but Sureshkumar once again came to Kerala's rescue by getting rid of Rane, who tried to cut and edged a simple catch to Sunil Oasis in the slips. His 41 included two fours.

Dahad, who was more aggressive, struck four sixes and five boundaries in his undefeated knock.

Resuming at 8 for no loss, Goa lost Swapnil Asnodkar (6) with the total at 10. However, Vivek Kolambkar (20) and overnight Sagun Kamat (33) added 50 runs for the second wicket to put the side in a comfortable position at 60 for 2.

The pick of the Kerala bowlers was Sureshkumar, who claimed 5 for 60. Debutant Sreeshanth claimed 2 for 36.

Mail Cricket Editor