Nikhilesh Ranjan leads Bihar run feast

Bihar went into the third day of their Ranji Trophy East Zone League match played at Keenan Stadium, Jamshedpur, against Tripura on 212/1 and went on to declare their first innings at 450/6 in 123 overs. Right handed batsman Nikhilesh Ranjan took the honours of the day with his innings of 110 on a day when three Bihar batsmen were dismissed in the eighties. Having allowed Bihar gain a lead of 214 runs in the first innings, Tripura were 90/2 in 45 overs at the close of play.

Bihar batsmen made most on a day when Tripura bowlers looked clueless. Left handed batsman Tariquer Rehman was the first to go for 83. He had added 189 runs in 75.3 overs with Nikhilesh Ranjan for the second wicket. Rehman's innings lasted 208 balls and he hit six fours. Bihar soon lost the centurion Nikhilesh Ranjan for 110. He was at the crease for six hours as he faced 304 deliveries hitting one six and ten fours. Bihar rubbed salt into Tripura's wounds with another big partnership for the fourth wicket between Rajiv Kumar and Sunil Kumar. They added 162 in 25 overs. Captain Rajiv Kumar went on a leather hunt with a breezy knock of 80 in 78 balls. His innings was studded with one six and five boundaries. Sunil Kumar was not to be left behind as he scored 87 in 100 balls including eight boundaries. It was sad to see both the batsmen miss out on a chance of getting to their hundred. C Sachdev of Tripura had a hard work out of 44-12-121-3 as he was the best of the bowlers.

Tripura have their captain S Dasgupta unbeaten on 33 as they still trail by 124 runs going into the last day of the match. Dasgupta played a good supporting role to S Chowdhuri who was dismissed just before the close of the third day for 47 (7 boundaries) as they added 76 in 38 overs.