Cricket

Assam's skipper Denish Das led a spirited fightback against Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group-D match at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. Resuming their first innings at 299 for seven, Tamil Nadu added 39 runs before being dismissed for 338.Das, batting at number four, anchored Assam's innings with an unbeaten half-century (54 off 116 balls). He forged a crucial 71-run partnership with southpaw Sibsankar Roy (23 not out) to guide the hosts to 176 for three at the end of the second day's play.Earlier, Tamil Nadu's S. Mohamed Ali (49 not out) and R. Sonu Yadav (29) extended their partnership to 63 runs before Mrinmoy Dutta broke the stand by having Sonu caught by Sibsankar Roy. The innings then ended swiftly, as Gurjapneet Singh and 16-year-old debutant R.D. Pranav Ragavendra failed to trouble the scorers.Assam's openers Parvej Musaraf (18) and Rishav Das (54) began well, adding 49 runs before Sonu broke through by trapping Musaraf leg-before. Rishav, who was in search of runs, put on 40 runs with Subham Mandal before being dismissed by Mohamed Ali for a well-compiled 54 (89b, 7x4).Denish Das then took charge, compiling a patient unbeaten 54 to put Assam in a strong position. He and Sibsankar Roy defied the opposition bowlers till the close of play, frustrating Tamil Nadu's hopes of any further wickets.