CK NAYUDU TROPHY

Jorhat, Feb. 2: Hosts Assam today overcame early hiccups on the turning wicket of the Gymkhana ground here on the first of the three-day C.K. Nayudu Trophy (under-22) East Zone match against Jharkhand.

Mriganka Jyoti Sarma, primarily a wicketkeeper, saved the day for the home side sharing an unbeaten seventh-wicket partnership with Nandalal Mahato to take the total to 156 for six at stumps. Mriganka and Mahato were unbeaten on 26 and 13.

Mriganka came to the crease when the hosts were reeling at 85 for four losing the wickets of Palash Jyoti Das and Gokul Sarma along with the two openers.

Mriganka batted patiently, but wickets tumbled regularly at the other end till Mahato came in.

Assam also rode a solid opening stand of 44 runs between Pranjal Tamuli and Chandan Rawat in the rain-delayed match, which started after a one-and-a-half-hour delay in the morning.

Jharkhand spinner Manoj Singh captured Tamuli when he was on 18, while Rawat (27) misjudged a delivery from medium-pace bowler Anitesh Kumar.

First-down Jason Lamare (28) also showed some confidence apart from the opening pair and Mriganka.

Gokul Sharma, who made his Ranji Trophy debut recently, fell for 11, while Prantar Sarma was out for a duck.

Palash Jyoti Das, who was in good form in the previous matches against Sikkim and Tripura, managed to score only two runs.

Jharkhand spinners Singh and Sujit Rai bagged two wickets each, while Keshab Kumar, another spinner, scalped one. Anitesh had to be satisfied with the wicket of Rawat.

Former Ranji player Diluwar Zaman inaugurated the match.