The 3rd day of the Ranji Trophy encounter between Assam and Haryana was only about delaying what looked inevitable after some fiery display of fast bowling from Arup Das in Day 2. With just 3 wickets in hand and another 135 runs required just to make Assam bat again, Haryana lost all wickets at the score of 178 handing Assam a victory by an innings and 35 runs. With this emphatic win, Assam earns 7 crucial points.
Haryana began the day looking determined to not lose a wicket. Overnight batsmen CK Bishnoi and PB Mehta played valuable knocks to form a 100+ partnership for the 8th wicket. They played with grit and showed great character and with lunch near, Assam players started looking itchy as they came on the field to quickly wrap up the remaining wickets. However, Mukhtar Hussain bowled a magical 52nd over to take the remaining 3 wickets within a span of 4 balls to hand Assam the all-important win. The Assam bowlers have looked in terrific form this season. Arup Das, Ranjeet Mali and Mukhtar Hussain picked up all 20 wickets between them and will have to play key roles for Assam to progress in Ranji Trophy 2018-19.
– By Uddipta N. Borah
