In a stunning display of resilience and determination, the Assam cricket team batted out of their skin to secure a dramatic draw against hosts Tripura on the fourth day of their Elite Group C Ranji Trophy encounter at Maharaja Bir Bikram College Stadium in Agartala on Tuesday.
Heroic Batting Display Saves Assam
Following on after being dismissed for 238 in their first innings, Assam were staring at defeat when they ended Day 3 at 78/3 in their second innings. However, what unfolded on the final day was nothing short of spectacular as the visiting team's batsmen dug deep to deny Tripura victory.
Captain Denish Das led from the front, converting his overnight score of 20 not out into a magnificent century. The skipper displayed tremendous patience and skill during his 197-ball innings, eventually completing his third first-class century before departing for 103 runs.
Partnerships That Made The Difference
The foundation for Assam's great escape was laid early on the fourth day when Das combined with overnight batter Sumit Ghadigaonkar. The pair denied Tripura bowlers any success in the morning session, taking their team to 191/3 in 64 overs.
Ghadigaonkar contributed a valuable 54 runs from 161 deliveries before being trapped leg before wicket by Swapnil Singh shortly after lunch with the score at 203/4. His dismissal brought Sibsankar Roy to the crease, who then produced one of the innings of his career.
Roy's Match-Saving Performance
Sibsankar Roy played a brilliant unbeaten knock of 101 runs from just 141 balls, smashing 17 boundaries and two sixes in his aggressive yet controlled innings. He received valuable support from the lower-middle order, particularly Ayushman Malakar who remained not out on 21 from 41 deliveries.
Roy's exceptional performance throughout the match, which included an unbeaten 84 in the first innings, earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award.
At the end of the day's play, Assam had reached 367 for 7 in their second innings, having batted through the entire day to pull off what seemed impossible when play began.
Points Table Implications
The drawn result had significant implications for both teams in the Ranji Trophy points table. Tripura had to settle for just three points from the match, which helped them move to sixth position on the table with six points overall.
Assam earned a solitary point from the thrilling draw and remain at the bottom of the table with three points from four matches. Despite their position in the standings, Assam's fighting performance on Tuesday deserves recognition and celebration.
The Tripura bowlers, despite bowling their hearts out throughout the final day, couldn't break the resilience of the Assam batsmen. Sarkar (3/70), Singh (2/88), and Dutta (2/34) were the most successful bowlers for the hosts.
Brief scores: Tripura 602/7 declared; Assam 238 & 367/7 (f/o) (Denish Das 103, Sibsankar Roy 101*, Sumit Ghadigaonkar 54). Match drawn.
