Chandigarh in command on Day 1

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 4

Left-arm spinner Gurinder Singh and medium pacer Jagjit Singh Sandhu shared seven wickets between them before Raman Bishnoi and Uday Kaul hit a half-century each to help hosts Chandigarh gain a vital 84-run first innings lead against Mizoram on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Plate Group match at Mahajhan Cricket Ground here today.

At the close of play, Chandigarh were comfortably placed at 193/3, with Bishnoi batting on 73 and Kaul on 62.

Earlier, the Mizoram batsmen dished out a listless performance and were bowled out for 109 runs after skipper Pawan KB had opted to bat. Veteran Taruwar Kohli was the only saving grace for the visitors, scoring a gutsy 77 off 130 balls. The 31-year-old was also the lone Mizoram batsman to score in double digits.

Gurinder was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts, claiming 4/18 in his 12.2 overs. Jagjit Singh took 3/34, while Jaskarandeep Singh returned with figures of 2/26.

Chandigarh, in reply, slumped to 61/3 before Bishnoi and Kaul put them in command with an unbeaten 132-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Kunal Mahajan, who replaced Arslan Khan at the top of the order, did not have much success on his First-Class debut as he was caught by skipper Pawan off G Lalbiakvela on 11.

Shivam Bhambri made a brisk 20 before he fell to Lalhruai Ralte. The medium pacer then dismissed skipper Manan Vohra on 27 to spell more trouble for the hosts. But Bishnoi and Kaul ensured that the side closed the day on a high.