CHANDIGARH: Chandigarh's middle order batting finally came of age after Ankit Kaushik complimented the efforts of the top order with a fighting century to help his side salvage a draw against Baroda in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group B encounter at Cuttack on Sunday. The result helped the UT side open their tally with a solitary point.
Ankit came up with an unbeaten 105 off 188 balls, laced with 10 boundaries and three sixes to further torment the Baroda bowlers after the top order comprising debutant Harnoor Singh (86),
Arslan Khan (72) and skipper
Manan Vohra (64) cracked respective half centuries, to take Chandigarh to a mammoth 473 for 7 before the captains decided to shake hands.
On Sunday, Chandigarh came in with a purpose, with the overnight duo of Manan and
Amrit Lubana
adding 30 runs to their overnight total of 238 for 2, before Lubana departed for a 97-ball 36. In the meantime, Manan got to another half century, and was joined by Ankit Kaushik in the middle.
The duo looked good but Manan's departure cut the partnership to just 14 runs, but Ankit went on milking the Baroda bowlers across the park. He found the perfect second fiddle in Rajangad Bawa, as the duo joined hands to forge together an 80-run stand for the fifth wicket. Raj scored 41 off 72 balls, and struck six boundaries.
Ankit, meanwhile, got to his half century and looked set for a longer innings. While
Arpit Pannu failed to trouble the scorers after getting out for three runs, vice-captain
Gurinder Singh (30) gave him company to raise 62 runs for the seventh wicket, which took Chandigarh past the 400-run mark.
Gaurav Gambhir also gave Ankit company as the right-hander neared his century. By the time Ankit got to the landmark, both captains decided to shake hands, signaling the end of the contest in a draw.
For Baroda,
Bhargav Bhatt (3/133) and Abhimanyusingh Rajput (2/68) were the wicket-takers.
Brief Scores: Chandigarh 168 & 473/7 in 136 overs (Ankit Kaushik 105 not out, Harnoor Singh 86, Arslan Khan 72, Manan Vohra 64; Bhargav Bhatt 3/133) vs Baroda 517
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