Ranji Trophy: Chaitanya steers Haryana to 231

After being inserted in, Haryana witnessed a top-order batting collapse, losing six wickets for 103. Only Bishnoi stood firm for a 117-ball 52, containing nine hits to the fence.

Sanjay Majumder captured three wickets to put Haryana on the back foot.

Haryana banked on Chaitanya Bishnoi's half-century and its lower order batsmen’s gritty display to gather 231 in its first innings of the Ranji Trophy Group C match against Tripura at the Eden Gardens here on Wednesday.

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Tripura was struggling at 70 for four when stumps were drawn on the opening day. After being inserted in, Haryana witnessed a top-order batting collapse, losing six wickets for 103. Only Bishnoi stood firm for a 117-ball 52, containing nine hits to the fence.

After Bishnoi's lone battle, the lower half of the batting order responded nicely to revive the Haryana innings.

Rahul Tewatia, at No. 7, scored a 72-ball 35, including six fours, to add 31 runs with Joginder Sharma (21), and captain Mohit Sharma, coming at No. 11, collected a patient unbeaten 39, also studded with six boundaries, to put up the highest partnership of 66 runs with Harshal Patel (26) for the 10th wicket.

Tripura opening bowlers Sanjay Majumder and Manisankar Murasingh exploited the morning conditions well to push Haryana on the back foot. Both captured three wickets apiece, while Bunti Roy picked up two.

Tripura's reply was disastrous despite opener Bishal Ghosh's fighting 36, laced with eight boundaries. Harshal Patel claimed two wickets for eight runs, while Joginder Sharma and Tewatia claimed one each.