Parag Das. Picture by Biju Boro

Buchi Babu Meet

Guwahati, Aug. 19: Skipper Parag Das regained his form today to contribute a solid 79 in Assam’s 246 all out in the first innings against Hyderabad at the Buchi Babu tournament in Chennai.

Having suffered the ignominy of elimination from the league phase after two consecutive losses in the MRF Trophy in Bangalore, all-rounder Das opened to anchor the innings on the first day of the three-day match, which is part of the exposure tour of South India.

The team management has discussed the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) yesterday to relieve Das from captaincy and facilitate him to play without pressure. The manager’s report for the second Bangalore match against hosts Karnataka said that Das misfielded on several occasions. Wicketkeeper Syed Zakaria Zuffri, who is a former Ranji Trophy captain, was tipped to replace Das.

Apart from Das, top-order batsman Vasant Saravanan contributed a handsome 72. Middle-order bat R.K. Mrityunjoy Gohain and Zuffri chipped in with 26 and 19 runs respectively.

In reply, Hyderabad were 56 for one. Right-arm spinner Arlen Konwar took the wicket.

ACA secretary Bikash Baruah said the senior side could have compiled a better score had three of their batsmen, including Das and R. Satish, not been “victimised by biased umpiring”.

“Our team manager Bishnu Ram Nunisa has informed me that the umpire’s decision on the dismissal of three of our batsmen were questionable. He has taken up the matter with the tournament officials,” he added.

Medium-pacer Dhiraj Goswami has been dropped from the squad with a right thigh-muscle tear, Baruah said. “The physio’s report says Dhiraj had sustained a muscle injury during the team conditioning here before the team left for the tour. The injury was aggravating every passing day. He needs rest,” the secretary said.

Utpal Medhi (Sr), Chandan Rout and Gyan Prakash have joined the team in Chennai.