Published: Dec 24, 2018, 08:35 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 24, 2018, 08:35 PM (IST)
Services will be chasing 270 runs to win on the fourth and final day of their Ranji Trophy, Elite C, round 7 tie against Jharkhand. On Day 3, thanks to Utkarsh Singh’s maiden first-class century, the hosts put up a vastly improved show with the bat as they were bowled out for 343 runs in their second dig at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi on Monday.
After resuming on their overnight total of 49/1, Jharkhand lost their second wicket in Kumar Deobrat but not before the opener had scored 53 and taken the score past the 100-run mark. Captain Ishan Kishan fell cheaply for 9.
Utkarsh then scored 114 off 234 with the help of 12 fours. He was part of two decent partnerships – 63 runs for the third wicket with Ishank Jaggi (40) and 97 runs with Anukul Roy for the fifth wicket. Roy himself scored a half-century, 50 off 87, before departing.
Utkarsh was the ninth wicket to fall when he became Rajat Paliwal’s third victim of the innings. Arun Bamal then pinned last-man Rahul Shukla for 5 with the second delivery of the 98th over which also became the last of the day.
Services will hope to chase down the target for an outright victory. They already have the advantage having taken the first innings lead.
Brief Scores: Jharkhand 193 and 343 (Utkarsh Singh 114; Rajat Paliwal 3/29) against Services 267
