Daunting task for Hyderabad on final day against Himachal Pradesh in Ranji Trophy

Hyderabad requires 336 runs to win against Himachal Pradesh on the final day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group D match. Chama Milind’s 98 helped Hyderabad post 278 in reply to Himachal’s 318 and 303, leaving 8 wickets intact

Hyderabad: Hyderabad faces a challenging target of 336 runs on the final day, Tuesday, with 10 wickets in hand against Himachal Pradesh in the four-day Ranji Trophy Elite Group D match at Nadaun (Himachal).

Resuming at the overnight score of 274 for eight, with Chama Milind on 94 in reply to Himachal’s first innings score of 318 on Monday, Hyderabad folded up cheaply this morning, adding just four runs. Milind also added four runs to his individual score, failing to convert his fighting knock into a century.

---

After conceding the vital first innings lead of 40 runs, Milind took centre stage with his left-arm pace, rocking the top order to leave Himachal struggling at 69 for four in 15.4 overs. He cleaned up opener Sidhant Purohit (19) and Ankit Kalsi (6) by the sixth over. At the other end, pacer Punnaiah struck two more blows, removing captain Ankush Bains (6) and Pukhraj Mann (26).

Just when Hyderabad could have entertained hopes of restricting the home side to a modest total, the bowlers ran into a stubborn batting pair of Ekant Sen (68, 68b, 9×4) and first innings centurion Akash Vasisht (101 n.o., 169b, 10×4), who put on a crucial 83-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

Another vital stand of 100 runs between Vasisht and Mayank Dagar (52, 66b, 6×4) for the sixth wicket pushed Hyderabad back on the defensive.

Later, two run-outs helped Hyderabad’s cause as Himachal was eventually restricted to 303, setting a difficult target for the visitors.

At the close of play, Hyderabad was eight for no loss in four overs.