Hard-hitting batter Riyan Parag has been carrying the batting lineup of Assam on his shoulders of late. In their second clash of the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 season, Parag smashed 116 with an ODI-like strike rate on Day 3 at his homeground Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati.
Starting at the overnight score of 15/2, wicketkeeper-batter Sumit Ghadigaonkar lost his wicket to Basil Thampi in the second over of the day. Parag had to walk out early on Day 3. He tried to bring the innings back on track with a 91-run partnership with opener Rishav Das.
The fourth-wicket partnership was broken by Thampi in the second session. Das got bowled by Thampi. He scored 31 runs from 97 balls including four fours. Meanwhile, Parag reached his half-century. Before the tea break, he was just eight runs away from his second century on the trot.
Then Jalaj Saxena got Gokul Sharma stumped in the 42nd over. Parag decided to take on the attack after Assam lost half the side. He reached his century and helped Assam get close to the 200-run mark. He lost his wicket to Suresh Vishweshwar in the 49th over. He scored 116 runs from 125 balls including 16 fours and three sixes.
Thampi got the last wicket of the day by sending Saahil Jain back to the dressing room. He scored 17 runs from 40 balls. At the end of the day's play, Akash Sengupta (11) and Mukhtar Hussain (19) were in the middle. Assam had 231/7 on the board. The hosts still trail by 188 runs. They need 39 more runs to avoid follow-on.
In the first innings, half-centuries from skipper Rohan Kunnummal, Krishna Prasad, and R Prem followed by a 131-run knock from Sachin Baby helped Kerala post 419 on the board.
Earlier, in Assam's campaign opener against Chattisgarh, Parag hit the second-fastest century in the history of the Ranji Trophy. He scored 155 runs from 87 balls featuring 11 fours and 12 sixes. However, he could not save Assam from a 10-wicket loss.
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