Sangram Singh hits courageous century

A defiant knock of 100 from Sangram Singh and a 179-run third-wicket partnership between Singh and Rajiv Nayyar (97) helped host Himachal Pradesh build a huge total of 345 for 7 declared in their second innings. Their declaration thus set a target of 303 for Jammu and Kashmir on the third day of the North Zone Ranji tie at Mandi on Friday.

Resuming overnight at 73 for two, Nayyar and Singh steadily carried the score to 223, when Sangram was finally bowled by Ashwani Gupta just after completing his century. Nayyar was also bowled by Ashwani Gupta at 242 for four.

Captain Varinder Sharma (51) and Amit Sharma (51*) were able to push the score to 320, placing the host team in a comfortable position. The skipper declared the innings at 345 for 7 after Shakti Singh (0) and Ashok Kumar Thakur (4) were dismissed cheaply. Jagtar Singh, Ashwani Gupta and Raju Sharma took two wickets each conceding 118, 58 and 31 runs respectively.

While Varinder Sharma's 51 was studded with eight fours, Sangram Singh hit 14 boundaries in his century knock, a good illustration of his strokeplay and attitude. Nayyar, equally controlled, hit 15 fours.

Jammu and Kashmir were 38 without loss at stumps, with Ranjit Bali (13*)and Raju Sharma (18*) at the crease.