Ranji Trophy 2018-19, Round 9, Elite C, Day 1: Rajasthan secure first-innings lead against Tripura after 20 wickets fall on opening day

Leading the way for Rajasthan was seam bowler Aniket Choudhary who claimed 5/11 in seven overs.

After bowling out Tripura for a meagre 35 – their lowest total ever – Group C leaders Rajasthan posted 218 runs in their first-innings with pacer Manisankar Murasingh picking up four for 75 as 20 wickets fell in a dramatic opening day of their Ranji Trophy 2018-19 Round 9 Elite C match at Agartala on Monday. At stumps, Tripura were four for no loss in their second dig, 179 runs behind.

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Tripura were dismissed in 18.5 overs, with the captain Smit Patel retired hurt earlier in the morning. Six batsmen failed to score, and only Neelambuj Vats, with 11 not out, got into double-figures. There were six extras. Leading the way for Rajasthan was seam bowler Aniket Choudhary who claimed 5/11 in seven overs, with support from Tanveer-ul-Haq’s figures of 4.5-4-1-3.

These are Choudhary’s best figures in first-class cricket. As far as lowest totals in the Ranji Trophy go, this total of 35 is the joint 12^th lowest ever.

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In reply, Rajasthan almost followed in the same footsteps as their opposition, but contributions from the lower middle-order, with Choudhary top-scoring with 30, saved the visiting side the blushes. Choudhary, who faced 50 deliveries for his unbeaten 30, scored two boundaries and one six. Manisankar returned with excellent figures of four for 75 in his 19 overs.

Brief scores: Tripura 35/9 (Aniket Choudhary 5/11, Tanveer-ul-Haq 3/1) & 4/0 trail Rajasthan 218 (Choudary 30*; Manisankar Murasingh 4/75) by 179 runs