Tons from Sibsankar, Gokul put Assam in commanding position
Guwahati: Assam rode on a century each from Sibsankar Roy and Gokul Sharma to find themselves at a commanding position at the end of second day’s play in the Ranji Trophy Group C match against Hyderabad, here on Friday. Sibsankar scored 134 off 373 deliveries (17x4s), while Gokul remained unbeaten on 126 that came off 285 balls (17x4s) to power Assam to 422 for six at the close of play at Barsapara Cricket Stadium. Starting at the overnight score 181 of five, Sibsankar and Gokul frustrated the Hyderabad bowlers for most part of the day with their resolute partnership and added 104 more runs to Thursday’s stand of three to take Assam forward. While it was Sibsankar’s maiden first-class century, Gokul scored his third first-class and was still going strong when stumps were drawn. Jamaluddin Syed Mohammad (52) was the other not out batsman at the crease alongwith Gokul. Brief scores: Assam 1st innings: 422 for six in 180 overs (Sibsankar Roy 134, Gokul Sharma 126 not out; Amol Shinde 3/124). (PTI)
Indian men beat Malaysia 4-3
New Delhi: Malak Singh scored a brace as India edged past Malaysia 4-3 in a hard-fought encounter to register their second win in the men’s competition of the third Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament at Kakamigahara, Japan, on Friday. Apart from Malak (41st and 51st minute), Ramandeep Singh (4th minute) and Mandeep Singh (54th minute) were the other goal-scorers for India. Malaysia scored through Azreen Rizal Bin Nasir (10th minute) and Faizal Saari (12th and 67th minute). (PTI)
Siddikur leads at Indian Open
New Delhi: Rahil Gangjee was the best-placed Indian at the weather-hit Indian Open as he was four strokes adrift of Mohammad Siddikur, who fired a sensational six-under 66 to grab a two-stroke clubhouse lead, here on Friday. Gangjee, who shared the lead with five others including Siddikur after the opening round, was two-under at the 16th hole to be tied third at the moment in the unfinished second round at the Delhi Golf Club. Gangjee picked up birdies at the first, sixth, 14th and 15th holes against a couple of bogeys at the fourth and 16th holes to lie four strokes adrift off Siddikur. The ace Bangladesh golfer fired his second successive six under to steal the thunder from Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat, who had grabbed the lead early in the day after returning a card of 68 to total 10-under. SSP Chowrsia also brought home an improved four-under 68 to be tied fifth, along with Angelo Que (68) of Philippines after the second round, which started with one and a half hour delay due to foggy conditions and was suspended due to bad light in the evening with 26 golfers still to finish the round. They will come early on Saturday to finish the second round. Shankar Das too was two-under after the first four holes to total seven-under so far. One stroke behind him were Indian duo of Anirban Lahiri and Sanjay Kumar, who carded 67 and 68 respectively. One stroke further adrift was Chirag Kumar, who was also stranded on the fourth hole after being two-under after three. (PTI)