Nagpur: An unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 76 runs between Jacob Martin (69 not out) and S Purukaustha (26 not out) helped Assam reach a modest 183 for four on the opening day of the Plate Group Ranji Trophy match against Vidarbha at the VCA ground on Saturday.
Put in to bat, Assam began disastrously losing opener Pritamdeb Nath (0) off the first ball from Mohd. Hashim and later lost Kunal Saikia (12) and R Parida (18) within the first hour of play to be reduced to 39 for three.
Martin, in company of D Sharma (44), resurrected the Assam innings with a crucial 68-run fourth wicket partnership on a wicket that looked pretty docile.
The home team skipper Pritam Gandhe provided the breakthrough by claiming Deepak Sharma and Assam were 107 for four.
However, Martin found yet another ally in Purukaustha as they stopped the home team from making further inroads.
Mohd. Hashim (2-40) was the pick of the bowlers for Vidarbha, while Umesh Yadav ended with figures of 1-30 as play ended 16 minutes before the scheduled close of play.
Earlier, Vidarbha skipper and off-spinner Pritam Gandhe was felicitated by the Vidarbha Cricket Association for playing his 100th first-class game.
Brief scores:
Assam: 183-4 in 86 overs (Jacob Martin 69 not out, Deepak Sharma 44, S Purukaustha 26 not out; Mohd Hashim 2 for 40).
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