Top-order batsman Arindam Ghosh struck a patient century to put Railways in command against Madhya Pradesh on Day 2 of the Group A Ranji Trophy cricket encounter, here today.
Responding to Madhya Pradesh's 181 in the first innings, Railways rode on Arindam's unbeaten 113 to end Monday on 253 for seven and manage a vital 72-run lead in the four-day encounter at the Karnail Singh Stadium.
Starting the day on 21 for no loss, Railways lost a couple of early wickets as medium-pacer Puneet Datey cleaned up Asad Pathan (24) and ran out Abhishek Kaushik (30).
Railways lost wickets at regular intervals but Arindam stitched a meaningful seventh-wicket 129-run partnership with Avinash Yadav (50) and take the Mahesh Rawat-led team well past MP's first-innings score.
Arindam, striking 13 fours and a six in his 218-ball stay stood still stumps alongwith with opening day hero Anureet Singh (10), who picked a five-wicket haul in the MP innings.
Brief Scores:
Madhya Pradesh 1st Innings: 181 all out in 79 overs (Jalaj Saxena 41, Rameez Khan 41; Anureet Singh 5/43)
Railways 1st Innings: 253/7 in 99 overs (Arindam Singh 113 not out, Avinash Yadav 50; Puneet Datey 3-69, Avesh Khan 2-41).
