Prasanta Sonowal (left) and Gokul Sharma

Agartala, Nov. 20: Assam skipper Gokul Sharma’s decision to put Tripura in to bat after winning the toss backfired as the hosts piled up a reasonably good score of 268 for eight at the end of the first day’s play in the C.K. Nayudu Trophy (under-22) East Zone match here today.

Sharma’s decision to field was a little surprising as the Polytechnic Ground pitch here generally helps spinners. The skipper must have thought his tweakers would do the job in the first day itself.

He, however, rued his decision to field first as the Tripura openers Sourav Dubey and Amit Das put up a solid 78-run partnership for the first wicket in 21.5 overs.

Amit Das returned to the pavilion with 23 runs but Sourav, who desperately needed a big score after being dropped from the state’s Ranji trophy team, played a brilliant innings to remain not out on 153 at close of play today.

He played a gritty and patient knock, laced with 23 fours and a six, to silence his critics and ensure a probable comeback for himself.

Sourav’s domination of the day’s proceedings was, however, countered by the Assam spin attack. The bowlers finally found their touch and kept taking wickets at the other end.

In fact the second-highest score for Tripura was only 34, made by Rana Dutta who had struggled for survival against Assam’s spin attack before he was sent back to the pavilion.

This, however, highlights Sourav’s contribution as he made mincemeat of the same attack that had troubled the other batsmen.

For Assam, the bowling honours were shared by spinners Prasanta Sonowal who took three wickets for 59 runs and Prakash Bhagwat who proved more expensive, taking two for 60.

Seamers Pankaj Saikia scalped two wickets while Vikrant Yadav captured one for 42 and 46 runs respectively.

Skipper Gokul Sharma’s luckless run continued even on the field as he bowled 11 overs, four of which were maidens, but he remained wicketless, conceding 26 runs.

He was a bit unlucky, even though he maintained a disciplined line and length all along.

Utpal Medhi was his fellow-sufferer. He bowled a fantastic 10 overs, three of which were maidens, giving away only 15 runs, but he failed to pick up a wicket.