Hyderabad made heavy weather of a modest target of 142 before notching up a face-saving, four-wicket win over Assam on the final day of the four-day Ranji Trophy Group A match at the Barsapara Stadium here on Monday.
When the chase began, ironically it was Hyderabad which was staring at a likely defeat as Arup Das and Rajjakuddin Ahmed bowled with fire and struck early blows to reduce the visitor to 18 for three in 6.3 overs.
Opener Akshath Reddy was bowled - missing the line completely trying to whip Rajjakuddin - while Tanmay Agarwal was trapped lbw playing across the line to Arup.
T. Ravi Teja played an irresponsible slash on off-stump to be caught behind off the same bowler. Then, wicketkeeper-batsman K. Sumanth, who looked in good touch, was ‘shocked’ to be declared caught behind off off-spinner Riyan Parag.
Moments later, Hyderabad captain Ambati Rayudu was lucky to be dropped off Parag in the slips.
And when southpaw B. Sandeep was gobbled up by substitute slip fielder Pallav Kumar Das off Parag, Hyderabad was in dire straits at 69 for five.
However, Rayudu (52 not out, 73b, 7 x 4) and Bhandari (26, 36b, 1 x 4, 1 x 6) batted sensibly to help their team achieve the target but not before Assam gave the visitor a real scare.
Amit completes ton
Earlier, Assam, resuming at its overnight score of 300 for seven, folded for 331 after 11 overs of play on Monday with Amit Sinha (overnight 96 batting) completing a thoroughly deserving (122, 233b, 14 x 4, 1 x 6) century, helping his team stage a fight.
And, it was pacer Ravi Kiran who put an end to Amit’s long stay and also to the innings when he cleaned up the centurion – Amit missing the line going for a big heave.
Hyderabad now has 15 points from five games and plays Delhi at home from November 25.
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