Ranji trophy: Gujarat struggle in Chennai

Fighting for a quarter-final berth, hosts Tamil Nadu put Gujarat under pressure, claiming 4 wickets for just 69 runs on the opening day of their Group A league match being played in Chennai. Due to rain and bad weather, only 42 overs were possible.

Gujarat batsmen were kept on their toes by  some disciplined TN's new ball bowlers. L Balaji conceded just 10 runs from from 8 overs out of which 4 were maidens. Openers Rikin Chauhan (2) and Priyank Panchal (11) departed early and Niraj Patel provided some resistance.

He remained unbeaten on 26 off 109 balls even as captain Parthiv Patel (13) and Bhavik Thakkar (4) departed from the other end. R Ashwin claimed the all-important wicket of his Chennai Super Kings team mate Parthiv Patel.

17 wickets topple in Rajkot
Day One of the Saurashtra-Assam match was one such one as in all 17 wickets fell. Batting first, Saurashtra were bowled out for 140 in just 51.1 overs. Amidst the fall of wickets, Sitanshu Kotak once again stood tall, scoring a vital 44.

In reply, Assam picked up from where Saurashtra left, losing wickets at regular intervals. At stumps, Assam were 107/7, trailing by 33 runs.

Bhargav claims 5 for Baroda
Baroda were in a commanding position after bowling out Himachal Pradesh for a paltry 119. Young spinner Bhargav Bhatt picked 5/40 and Munaf Patel claimed 3/30.

In reply, Baroda led by 54 runs as Kedar Devdhar's unbeaten 71 and Rayudu's 57 helped hosts finish at 173-5.