(Top) Parag Das who scored a 50 and (right) Subhadeep Ghosh raises his bat on completing his first half-century on the first day of the Ranji match against Baroda at Nehru Stadium on Sunday. Picture by UB Photos

Guwahati, Nov. 7: Assam is pinning hopes on comeback man Subhadeep Ghosh and veteran all-rounder Sukhwinder Singh to guide them to a challenging first innings total tomorrow in their Ranji elite group campaign opener against Baroda.

Assam will hope the duo, who salvaged the Assam innings today after a post-lunch middle order collapse, continues the good work at least till lunch tomorrow. The experienced pair shared an unbeaten 77-run seventh wicket partnership this afternoon at the Nehru Stadium taking the hosts? Day One tally from 132 for six in 44.6 overs to 209 for six in 81 overs.

Cricket pundits here feel a first innings total of 400 to 450 would have been an ideal. But, with chances of that being remote it would be challenging enough if Assam could post 300 to 325 runs in the first innings.

The Assam batsmen had made a good start but the run rate slowed down with a middle-order collapse. Teenager Parvez Aziz, opening alongside Parag Das, had an impressive Ranji debut slamming a boundary to open his account. He, however, was trapped leg before by Baroda?s right arm seamer Rakesh Patel when only on 14.

The redeeming feature of the day was that the local players rose to the occasion, a trait which had been missing earlier. First Parag Das, in tandem with skipper Syed Zakaria Zuffri, and then Ghosh, in company of Sukhwinder Singh. If the former scored 72 runs for the second wicket, the second produced 77 and is still going strong. Even debutants Parvez Aziz and Chandan Rawat held out promise.

Former captain and Assam?s most-capped player Rajesh Borah observed: ?It may not be a big total but the manner in which it was scored is heartening. Even more heartening was the fact that two home-bred players, Das and Ghosh, hit fifties. These are valuable contributions. Subhadeep and Sukhi (Sukhwinder) should not let the good work get undone.?

The selectors, most felt, have done a credible job by fielding a very balanced side and should persist with the side whatever the outcome of the match.

?It was a very good first match team. A good mix of youth and experience. To do well continuity is needed ? the seniors need to be made to feel at home so that they compliment the efforts of the outstation recruits. Zakaria, Zaved, Gautam, Subhra (Subhrajit Saikia) and Parag are the best we have at the moment. They have to be given necessary confidence to do well,? Bora added.

The other redeeming feature of the day was that of Das, displaying glimpses of maturity that was missing earlier.

Though a lot will be made of Zakaria?s run out and the slow run rate, one cannot lose sight of the fact that Assam are up against a stronger side. Still, they managed to stop Baroda from running away with the first day?s honours. Tomorrow is another day.