Hyderabad: A fighting rearguard action from Deepak Punia and a strong knock by opener Soumik Chatterjee ensured Services wriggled out of Hyderabad’s grasp to a respectable 235 for 7 on Day One of their Ranji Trophy Group ‘C’ match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium here on Sunday. Opting to bat, the visitors lost opener Pratik Desai early, caught by Vihari off Ashish Reddy. However, a 69-run stand between Chatterjee and Nakul Verma (27) put the side back on track before leg-spinner Akash Bhandari sent back Verma, Vihari the catcher again.
Thereafter, five wickets at regular intervals saw Services slip to a precarious 161 for 7. Chatterjee too was among the batsmen dismissed, after having made a fine 70 that came off 163 deliveries and included 13 boundaries. He was out caught by Ravi Teja off spinner Mehdi Hasan. Then, No.8 Deepak Punia began the rescue act and got the other tailenders to rally around him. In between Saurabh Kumar had to retire hurt after getting hit near the eyebrow by an Ahmed Quadri delivery, an injury that required basic first aid in the pavilion. He is ready and awaiting his turn to bat now.
Meanwhile, Punia continued to accumulate runs, by unleashing big hits. By close of play, he was batting on 61 that includes three boundaries and four sixes. He has so far put on 74 for the unbroken eighth wicket with No.10 Sakuja, who is batting on 18. Akash Bhandari, who replaced Pragyan Ojha in the side, made the best use of his chance by claiming four wickets for 64 runs to emerge Hyderabad’s most successful bowler of the day.
Scorecard
Services 1st Innings: Pratik Desai c Vihari b Ashish Reddy 11, Soumik Chatterjee c Ravi Teja b Mehdi Hasan 70, Nakul Verma c Vihari b Akash Bhandari 27, Rajat Paliwal b Ravi Kiran 14, Devender Lohchab c Vihari b Akash Bhandari 2, Yashpal Singh b Akash Bhandari 27, Saurabh Kumar retired hurt 0, Deepak Punia batting 61, Suraj Yadav c Ravi Teja b Akash Bhandari 1, Sakuja batting 18. Extras (w-1, b-1, lb-2) 4. Total (7 wickets; 90 overs) 235.
Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-85, 3-112, 4-117, 5-149, 6-153, 7-161.
Bowling: Ravi Kiran 19-5-48-1, Ashish Reddy 15-5-42-1, Mehdi Hasan 24-7-60-1, Akash Bhandari 22-9-64-4, Ahmed Quadri 10-3-18-0
