Ton-up Hanuma Vihari puts Tripura on top against Assam

Hanuma Vihari’s 26th first-class century coupled with Sentu Sarkar’s brilliant 94 propelled hosts Tripura to 316 for four from 84 overs on the opening day of their fourth-round match of Ranji Trophy Elite Group C against Assam in Agartala on Saturday.Opting to bowl first at Maharaja Bir Bikram College Stadium, visitors Assam had a good start on Day 1 morning as medium pacer Darshan Rajbongshi returned both the Tripura openers Hrituraj Roy (5) and Bikramkumar Das (22) cheaply. But with Vihari joining No. 3 Sridam Paul in the middle, Tripura came back into the game.The in-form former Andhra player, who scored 141 against Bengal in the last match as well, was at his best against Assam bowlers, scoring an unbeaten 143 off 215 runs with 17 fours and a maximum.

Vihari first stitched a 68-run stand with Paul for the third wicket before forging a huge 210-run partnership with Sarkar for the fourth.Together they sent Assam bowlers on a leather hunt for the large part of the opening day. Well set for his maiden century, playing only his second first-class game, Sarkar unfortunately edged medium pacer Ayushman Malakar behind just six runs short of the three-figure mark. The young wicketkeeper-batter's 145-ball knock, studded with 11 fours and a six, came to an end in the last over of the day.

Rajbongshi was the pick of the Assam bowlers with two for 52 runs while Malakar and Mukhtar Hussain scalped one wicket each. Going into the second day, Assam face the task of finishing the Tripura innings as early as possible.Brief Scores: Tripura 316 for 4 in 84 overs (H Vihari 143 batting, S Sarkar 94; D Rajbongshi 2/52) vs Assam. Match to continue.