Anshul-Yashpal combine to take Services to 277/3

The duo raised an unbeaten 211 runs for the fourth wicket to help their team sit comfortably at the draw of stumps after Tripura bowlers struck in quick succession to reduce the visitors to 66 for three.

Having elected to bat, Services openers started off sedately before the hosts struck in 17th over of the innings to send Pratik Desai (30) back to the pavilion.

Skipper Soomik Chatarjee, was the next to go after scratching his way to a painstaking 16 of 89 deliveries.

Soumya Swain also didn't last long as he fell to the guile of left-arm spinner Tushar Saha to leave his team at a precarious at 66 for three.

It was then left to Anshul and Yashpal to see their side through and the couple responded in an emphatic fashion, matching each other shot for shot.

While Anshul finished the day at an unbeaten 112 of 211 balls, Yashpal returned undefeated at 110, albeit with a slightly better strike rate.

Both the right-handers took a special liking to the hosts' attack, dispatching them to all corners of the park with ease.

The combo cracked 14 boundaries each while sending the ball sailing over the fence on four occasions.

Brief Scores:

Services 1st innings: 277 for three in 86 overs (Anshul Gupta 112, Yashpal Singh 110; Rana Dutta 39/1).