Himachal Pradesh are closing in on a big innings victory over Assam having reduced the visitors to 97 for six in the second innings having bowled them out for 81 in the first essay.
HP scored 463 fpr nine declared in their innings with an unbeaten 102 from Bipul Sharma while Nikhil Gangta (99) was unlucky to miss out on a ton. Rishi Dhawan's prolific Ranji season continued as he scored 58 after his five-wicket haul in the first innings.
Having taken a mammoth first innings lead of 372, HP's new ball bowlers Dhawan (2/42) and Vikramjeet Malik (2/15) again rocked Assam. Veteran Dheeraj Jadhav (22 batting) and J Syed Mohammed (37) added 47 runs for the fifth wicket after Assam were reduced to 30 for four.
It's been a good start to the Ranji season for Dhawan who has so far scored 311 runs with four 50's and is on top of wicket-taker's list with 36 scalps.
Brief Scores: Assam 81 & 97/6 (J Syed Mohammed 37, Vikramjit Mailk 2/15, Rishi Dhawan 2/42)
HP 463/9 decl (Bipul Sharma 102, Nikhil Gangta 99, Rishi Dhawan 58). Assam trail by 285 runs with 4 wkts in hand.
