While pacer Aravind wrecked the Assam batting line-up after they chose to bat first at the Bandra-Kurla complex ground with his career's second five-wicket in an innings haul, his former statemate Verma stood rocklike to prop up Assam's first innings by notching his 11th first class hundred in his 62nd game.
At stumps, Assam were 268 for six after recovering from 16 for three and then 166 for six by riding on no. 4 batsman Verma's diligent, unbeaten knock of 125 in 340 minutes that contained 18 fours and a six and came off 259 balls.
Aravind finished with figures of five for 49 in 21 overs, shouldering the pace bowling responsibility in lion-hearted style following the early exit of partner Abhimanyu Mithun, who bowled only four balls in his second over before leaving the field. He didn't bowl again during the day.
The 32-year-old Aravind's first spell read an impressive 6-1-17-3 and then he came back to end the fourth wicket partnership of 76 between Verma, who was dropped on 2 by substitute Arjun Hoysala at point off Stuart Binny but thereafter batted extremely well, and K B Arun Karthik (35) by clean bowling the latter.
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Aravind then dismissed Syed Mohammed for a duck to complete his second five-wicket haul in his 47th game.
Verma batted confidently and with great responsibility at the other end to reach his 100 with a straight driven four off unimpressive leg spinner Shreyas Gopal, in 203 balls, inclusive of a six and 16 fours in four and a half hours.
Verma also added an unconquered 102 runs for the seventh wicket with Purkayastha, taking full advantage of the weakened Karnataka attack in which Aravind, who has played one T20 game for India, was the lone bright spot.
Assam 1st innings: 268 for six (Amit Verma 125 batting, S Purkayastha 56 batting; S Aravind 5/49).