AGENCIES
DHARAMSALA
Priyanshu Khanduri gave himself a belated birthday gift with his maiden first-class century and associated himself in a 237-run opening stand with Ankush Bains, who too slammed a hundred, at the HPCA Stadium here on a run-drenched day. Consequently, Himachal Pradesh pulled away from their opponents, opening up a lead of 101 with six first-innings wickets still standing.
Overnight two without loss in reply to Goa's 255, the home side finished the second day on 356 for 4. The day belonged almost entirely to Khanduri, playing just his second game, and Bains, who took their time constructing a solid base but doing so with quiet efficiency to frustrate Goa.
Khanduri, who turned 22 on Saturday, played second fiddle to the more attacking Bains, who raced to his sixth first-class hundred and had made his way to 143 when he was dismissed by Felix Alemao, the right-arm medium pacer. Bains faced 216 deliveries and struck
24 fours.
Khanduri lost Sumeet Verma, his skipper, almost immediately to the same bowler but brought up his hundred in the company of Paras Dogra before falling with 14 deliveries left in the day's play. He was trapped in front by Rituraj Singh for 117, off 251 deliveries with 15 fours and a six, leaving Himachal in an excellent position from which to call the shots.
SCORES
Goa 255 (Rituraj Singh 55; Pankaj Jaiswal 4-59, Sumeet Verma 3-33) trail Himachal Pradesh 356/4 (Ankush Bains 143, Priyanshu Khanduri 117; Felix Alemao 2-83) by 101 runs
