New Delhi, Nov 4 (PTI) Mohit Ahlawat struck a commanding 142 to put Services in a strong position against Delhi on the third day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match at Palam A Ground here on Wednesday.
After conceding a first-innings lead of 78 runs, Services recovered from early blows to reach 280 for five in their second innings at stumps, extending their overall lead to 202.
Skipper Rajat Paliwal was unbeaten on 62 off 96 balls, while Ahlawat’s 150-ball knock was studded with 12 fours and seven sixes.
Services were in trouble at 13 for two after losing openers Nitin Tanwar (2) and Shubham Rohilla (5) inside five overs.
But Ahlawat, who struck his maiden first-class century, and Ravi Chauhan steadied the innings with a 126-run partnership for the third wicket.
Chauhan made a patient 56 off 105 balls, hitting six fours and a six, while Ahlawat counter-attacked to wrest the initiative from Delhi.
After Chauhan departed at 139, Ahlawat joined Paliwal to put together another crucial stand of 127 runs for the fourth wicket.
Paliwal provided stability with his measured knock before Ahlawat was dismissed at 266, leaving Services well placed to set Delhi a challenging target.
Earlier, Delhi, resuming at 299 for six, were bowled out for 344 in 105.4 overs, adding 45 runs while losing their remaining four wickets.
Sumit Mathur, who was unbeaten on 80 overnight, fell agonisingly short of a century, departing for 99 after facing 196 balls.
Rookie medium-pacer Jayant Goyat wrapped up the innings, taking five for 65, his maiden five-wicket haul in first-class cricket. Left-arm spinner Arjun Sharma supported him well with three for 65.
Brief Scores:
Services 266 and 280/5 in 66 overs (Mohit Ahlawat 142, Rajat Paliwal 62 not out, Ravi Chauhan 56); Delhi 344 in 105.4 overs (Sumit Mathur 99, Ayush Doseja 78; Jayant Goyat 5/65, Arjun Sharma 3/65).
Gujarat enforce follow-on vs Kerala
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In Ahmedabad, Gujarat enforced the follow-on after bowling out Kerala for 279 in their first innings and reduced them to 41 for one in their second innings at stumps on the third day.
Kerala, who conceded a massive 255-run first-innings lead after Gujarat declared at 534 for nine, still trail by 214 runs with nine wickets in hand.
Abhishek Nair was unbeaten on 29, while Sachin Baby was yet to score at close of play. Rohan Kunnummal was dismissed for seven by Arzan Nagwaswalla.
Earlier, Kerala resumed their first innings at 74/3 and were bowled out for 279 in 88.2 overs. Skipper Vishnu Vinod (66), Mohammed Azharuddeen (57) and Aditya Sarwate (58) made half-centuries.
Arzan Nagwaswalla led Gujarat’s attack with four for 59, while captain Chintan Gaja claimed three for 65.
Brief Scores:
Gujarat: 534/9 declared vs Kerala: 279 in 88.2 overs and 41/1 in 16 overs (Abhishek Nair 29 batting).
Minz slams maiden first-class ton
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Wicketkeeper-batter Robin Minz struck his maiden first-class century, remaining unbeaten on 100 as Jharkhand declared their first innings at 433 for eight before reducing Odisha to 23 without loss at stumps on the third day.
Minz’s 140-ball knock, studded with 11 fours and two sixes, came after centuries from Aditya Singh (104) and a valuable 89 from Anukul Roy had put Jharkhand in a commanding position.
Shubh Sharma also made a quick 58 off 61 balls as Jharkhand crossed the 400-run mark.
Brief Scores:
Jharkhand: 433/8 declared in 142.1 overs (Robin Minz 100 not out, Aditya Singh 104, Anukul Roy 89, Shubh Sharma 58; Rajesh Mohanty 2/43, Lalit Yadav 2/86) vs Odisha: 23/0 in 5 overs. PTI TAP UNG
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