Ranji Trophy: Arun Karthik hands Assam 1st innings lead over Delhi

Guwahati: Assam rode on KB Arun Karthik's patient 81 to take a vital eight-run first innings lead over Delhi but the Group A Ranji Trophy cricket match is interestingly poised with the visitors reaching 101 for four in their second essay at stumps on the second day, here today.

Resuming their first innings at the overnight score of 69 for three in reply to Delhi's 149, Assam were bowled out for 157 in 64.1 overs.

Besides Arun Karthik, who scored his runs off 169 balls and hit eight boundaries and three sixes, no other Assam batsmen could make significant contributions.

Skipper Gokul Sharma (24) added just two runs to his overnight score before being catsled by Pradeep Sangwan.

Left-arm orthodox bowler Manan Sharma was pick of the bowlers for Delhi with figures of four for 41, while Sangwan scalped three wickets for 33 runs.

Delhi batsmen showed more purpose in their second innings but the visiting team skipper Gautam Gambhir's torrid time with the bat continues as he fell for a duck, LBW to Krishna Das (2/31).

But the other opener Unmukt Chand showed some spark and made 44 off 64 balls before he became Krishna's second victim of the day.

Dhruv Shorey (38) and Nitish Rana (19) both fell to Gokul Sharma (2/6).

Milind Kumar and Puneet Bisht were yet to open their account at the close of play.

Delhi lead Assam by 93 runs with six wickets. The match is heading for an interesting finish as two full day's play still remains for both the sides to eke out a result.

Brief Scores:

Delhi: 149 & 101 for four in 44 overs (Unmukt Chand 44, Dhruv Shorey 38; Gokul Sharma 2/6).

Assam: 157 all out in 64.1 overs (KB Arun Karthik 81; Manan Sharma 4/41).